Cooper: Labour can “write off the 2020 election” if we pick the wrong leader

Yvette Cooper has dismissed the suggestion that Labour supporters need to choose between “standing up for our values and being unelectable”, as candidate’s come to terms with Jeremy Corbyn’s surprise popularity.

Writing in today’s Sunday Mirror, Cooper praises the achievements of the Clement Attlee Government of 1945, which celebrates its 70th anniversary today – but says those achievements could not have come about had they not won the election. The Shadow Home Secretary also said that as leader she would put a renewed focus on tackling inequality, which had been a major issue of Miliband’s leadership.

Cooper writes:

“I want us to double science investment to get millions more high-tech manufacturing jobs; Sure Start centres to give children the best chance; more affordable homes.

And let’s put the fight against inequality back at the heart of our movement.

Some people say Labour has to choose between our hearts and our heads – between standing up for our values and being unelectable, or following Tory policies to win.”

However, she also had a dire warning for her electors – suggesting that if other candidates win, Labour can “write off the 2020 election”:

“There’s such a lot at stake. Get this wrong, and we will write off the 2020 election and condemn Britain to a Tory future. Labour has to get serious. That’s why I’m standing to lead our party now.”