This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/06/labour-election-for-london-mayoral-race-too-close-to-call

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labour election for London mayoral race too close to call Labour election for London mayoral race too close to call
(34 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of new Labour members and supporters will take part in the election of the party’s candidate for mayor of London, which will be decided this week.Tens of thousands of new Labour members and supporters will take part in the election of the party’s candidate for mayor of London, which will be decided this week.
At the time of the general election in May, 41,000 Labour members in the capital were eligible to vote. But four months later, thanks to the surge in support for Jeremy Corbyn, the number able to take part has almost trebled and now stands at 114,000 – 63,000 members, 21,000 trade union affiliates and 28,000 supporters.At the time of the general election in May, 41,000 Labour members in the capital were eligible to vote. But four months later, thanks to the surge in support for Jeremy Corbyn, the number able to take part has almost trebled and now stands at 114,000 – 63,000 members, 21,000 trade union affiliates and 28,000 supporters.
The sharp increase in the electorate, sparked by Corbyn’s campaign to be Labour leader, has thrown the outcome of the mayoral contest into doubt. Opponents of the early frontrunner, Tessa Jowell, say she is unlikely to pick up many of the new left-leaning supporters who have been inspired by Corbyn and believe it is now neck and neck between her and Sadiq Khan, the former shadow minister for London.The sharp increase in the electorate, sparked by Corbyn’s campaign to be Labour leader, has thrown the outcome of the mayoral contest into doubt. Opponents of the early frontrunner, Tessa Jowell, say she is unlikely to pick up many of the new left-leaning supporters who have been inspired by Corbyn and believe it is now neck and neck between her and Sadiq Khan, the former shadow minister for London.
But sources in the Jowell camp say they remain confident that her name recognition and association with the London Olympics will see her over the line. Tony Travers, a long-time observer of London politics and professor at the London School of Economics, says the impact of Corbyn’s campaign is the “great unknown” in the contest.But sources in the Jowell camp say they remain confident that her name recognition and association with the London Olympics will see her over the line. Tony Travers, a long-time observer of London politics and professor at the London School of Economics, says the impact of Corbyn’s campaign is the “great unknown” in the contest.
“The great big question hanging over Labour’s London mayoral election race is the impact of the Corbyn surge. What we can’t know is whether the surge that has helped Corbyn nationally is of the same type in London and if it is, which candidate is likely to benefit.”“The great big question hanging over Labour’s London mayoral election race is the impact of the Corbyn surge. What we can’t know is whether the surge that has helped Corbyn nationally is of the same type in London and if it is, which candidate is likely to benefit.”
Travers added: “You have to say, other things being equal, a surge for a left-wing candidate nationally doesn’t sound like great news for Tessa Jowell and might be thought to be better for Sadiq Khan ... but other things are not always equal.” Travers added: “You have to say, other things being equal, a surge for a leftwing candidate nationally doesn’t sound like great news for Tessa Jowell and might be thought to be better for Sadiq Khan … but other things are not always equal.”
The five candidates are Khan, Jowell, Diane Abbott, David Lammy, Gareth Thomas and Christian Wolmar. The polls close on Thursday and the winner is expected to be announced on Friday morning – the day before the result of the Labour leadership is revealed. The election for London mayor will take place next May and the winner is likely to face the Conservative frontrunner, the MP Zac Goldsmith. The six candidates are Khan, Jowell, Diane Abbott, David Lammy, Gareth Thomas and Christian Wolmar. The polls close on Thursday and the winner is expected to be announced on Friday morning, the day before the result of the Labour leadership is revealed. The election for London mayor will take place next May and the winner is likely to face the Conservative frontrunner, the MP Zac Goldsmith.
• This article was amended on 6 September 2015 to correct the number of Labour mayoral candidates.