What happened at the PLP leadership hustings today?

Labour MPs watched the five leadership candidates debate this lunchtime at a special meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

It was a closed-door affair – with no press allowed – but it appears that no particular candidate especially shone, though many of their supporters have taken to social media to claim victory.

Andy Burnham stuck to issues he’s already spoken about during his campaign, focusing on the economy, business and Europe. He said he is the candidate of change and that he is campaigning to win in 2020.

Louise Haigh, a new MP who has nominated Burnham, was impressed:

Just out of PLP hustings, @andyburnhammp by far most passionate, thoughtful and convincing candidate by a long shot

— Louise Haigh (@LouHaigh) June 8, 2015

Haigh’s continued support is bad news for Jeremy Corbyn, as she is one of the MPs on the left of the party who could potentially have switched her support to ensure he got onto the ballot.

Jess Phillips, who is backing Yvette Cooper, said she “was very impressive” and that she “set out how Labour needs to change to win again in 2020 – but without moving away from our values”.

Meanwhile, Liz Kendall also said that she realised the party need to change, saying “if we stick with the politics of the last election we will lose the next.”

However, she said Labour didn’t lack policies at the last election but rather they “lacked a clear vision.” She went on to argue “that’s the job of a strong leader – to set the direction and build a strong team. That’s what I will do. Through this leadership contest, we should debate, decide, unite – in that order.”

Kendall at PLP hustings: “We won’t help the weak simply by railing against the strong”. — George Eaton (@georgeeaton) June 8, 2015

On the question of the EU referendum, Kendall said “”we need a distinctive Labour Yes campaign” but that it would be a “profound mistake” to boycott a wider, cross-party ‘Yes’ campaign.

Burnham and others have argued that one of the lessons from Labour’s defeat in Scotland, where the party joined with the Tories in opposing independence, is that there should be an independent Labour ‘Yes’ campaign.

Although a sizeable number of MPs have already come out in favour of a particular candidate, the official process whereby MPs can nominate their preferred choice opens tomorrow and closes next Monday.

Candidates need the support of 35 MPs to make it onto the ballot paper – keep up to date with how many supporters each candidate has here.