Chuka Umunna has today announced he is supporting Tessa Jowell in the contest to decide Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London. The Streatham MP said that Jowell is the “only Labour contender who can beat any Tory” and praises her for “running an open and optimistic campaign”.
While the race has apparently tightened over recent days, Jowell’s team remain confident that they have the best chance of securing victory.
Umunna said:
“I’m a proud Londoner and I’m backing Tessa because she is the outstanding candidate to be Mayor and to lead our city.
“I’m backing her not only because of the policies that she has so clearly set out to deal with the crisis facing London, but also because of the way she has run her campaign in building a movement to build a fairer, more equal and prosperous London, a city of great opportunity but huge inequalities we must address. Tessa is running an open and optimistic campaign – key to my politics – attracting many young people who have never been politically active before who want to play their part in building One London. Her formidable network of over 1,500 volunteers with an average age in their mid 20s is testament to this.
“So, for me, it has to be Tessa for Labour in London. She is the only Labour contender who can beat any Tory and she has the policies for London that focus on opportunity and not narrow tribalism which turns so many off from politics.
“London needs a Labour Mayor who can deliver. She is the candidate with an inspiring vision of a better future and, from Sure Start to the Olympics, Londoners know Tessa can deliver, and Labour supporters know she’s a winner. I’m not just giving Tessa my vote, I’m excited to be campaigning with her and giving her every bit of my support. She can do great things if we get behind her and that’s exactly what I intend to do by playing a full role in her campaign.”
More from LabourList
Sarwar: ‘Humza Yousaf’s leadership is in tailspin. The time for change has come’
Haigh: We won’t shut ticket offices or cut jobs – or nationalise water
Lou Haigh to reveal ‘roadmap’ for public ownership of railways within first term