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Labour to announce London mayoral candidate at lunchtime Labour to announce London mayoral candidate at lunchtime
(35 minutes later)
Labour will announce at lunchtime if Tessa Jowell, the longstanding frontrunner as the party’s candidate for London mayor, has faced down a challenge mounted by the former shadow justice secretary, Sadiq Khan. Labour will announce at lunchtime whether Tessa Jowell, the longstanding frontrunner as the party’s candidate for London mayor, has faced down a challenge mounted by the former shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan.
The electoral system and franchise is the same as for the national leadership elections but confined to those on the London electoral roll. The outcome will be revealed on Friday, a day ahead of the party leadership result. The electoral system and franchise is the same as for the national leadership elections but confined to those on the London electoral roll. The outcome will be revealed on Friday, a day before the party leadership result.
Jowell will be hoping her name recognition, efficient campaign and reputation as someone capable of defeating the Conservatives in London will make her immune to the left surge in the party.Jowell will be hoping her name recognition, efficient campaign and reputation as someone capable of defeating the Conservatives in London will make her immune to the left surge in the party.
Khan, a member of Ed Miliband’s inner circle, cannot claim the same break with the past as Jeremy Corbyn, but he has relied heavily on support from the Unite union and run a powerful campaign.Khan, a member of Ed Miliband’s inner circle, cannot claim the same break with the past as Jeremy Corbyn, but he has relied heavily on support from the Unite union and run a powerful campaign.
Diane Abbott, a close political ally of Corbyn and Ken Livingstone, the former mayor, has been emphasising her similarities with the party leadership favourite but has not won his explicit endorsement. Diane Abbott, a close political ally of Corbyn and Ken Livingstone, the former mayor, has been emphasising her similarities with Corbyn but has not won his explicit endorsement.
The preferential voting system means her votes can be transferred to Khan when she drops out. The other candidates in the race are David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, Christian Wolmar, the transport writer and activist, and Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, who wants to devolve more economic powers to London.
The other candidates in the race are David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, Christian Wolmar, the transport writer and activist, and Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, who wants to devolve more economic powers to London.
The electorate has not been formally announced, but it is thought to be 21,800 affiliated members, 63,900 full members and 28,600 registered supporters paying £3 to vote. So the London electorate is 21% of the total Labour electorate and will give a hint at how the national election has gone, as well as turnout.The electorate has not been formally announced, but it is thought to be 21,800 affiliated members, 63,900 full members and 28,600 registered supporters paying £3 to vote. So the London electorate is 21% of the total Labour electorate and will give a hint at how the national election has gone, as well as turnout.
The candidates with the fewest votes will drop out in succession, with their supporters’ second preference votes redistributed until someone has 50% of support.The candidates with the fewest votes will drop out in succession, with their supporters’ second preference votes redistributed until someone has 50% of support.
The Conservatives have yet to choose their candidate, but it is expected to be Zac Goldsmith, the wealthy environmentalist and MP for Richmond Park.The Conservatives have yet to choose their candidate, but it is expected to be Zac Goldsmith, the wealthy environmentalist and MP for Richmond Park.
Central issues in the election next spring will be airport expansion in the south-east, housing and the powers of the mayor, but the personalities of the candidates play a critical role. The contest will also be seen as an early verdict on the Corbyn national leadership, and the relationship between Corbyn and Jowell, if she is elected as Labour candidate, will be critical. Central issues in the election next spring will be airport expansion in the south-east, housing and the powers of the mayor, but the personalities of the candidates will play a critical role. The contest will be seen as an early verdict on Corbyn’s leadership of Labour, assuming he wins on Saturday, and the relationship between Corbyn and Jowell, if she is elected as Labour candidate, will be critical.
Goldsmith, meanwhile, prizes his independence from Downing Street so both candidates are likely to make a virtue of their differences with their national leadership. Goldsmith prizes his independence from Downing Street, so both candidates are likely to make a virtue of their differences with their national leadership.
In previous London mayoral elections, the efficient Labour machine got out the vote in inner London but was not able to overcome strong Conservative support in the suburbs. Jowell hopes she has appeal beyond the inner city heartlands. In previous London mayoral elections, the efficient Labour machine got out the vote in inner London but was not able to overcome strong Conservative support in the suburbs. Jowell hopes she has appeal beyond the inner-city heartlands.
Corbyn supporters at a thank you rally in London on Thursday night claimed that even if their candidate fell at the last hurdle on Saturday, he will have won by changing the party permanently and giving voice to a more radical alternative. At a rally in London on Thursday night, Corbyn supporters claimed that even if their candidate falls at the last hurdle on Saturday, he will have won by changing the party permanently and giving voice to a more radical alternative.
Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, said he had been bored by the three mainstream candidates, but Corbyn had electrified the election.Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, said he had been bored by the three mainstream candidates, but Corbyn had electrified the election.