Press releases

McDonnell welcomes Diane Abbott to Leadership race

20th May 2010

John McDonnell MP, already backed by the LRC and Unison United Left, said:

“I welcome Diane’s candidacy and urge other women and ethnic candidates to come forward from all wings of the party. We need a full and wide ranging debate about our future direction.
“I am writing today to all the so far declared candidates to ask their support for a review of the current process and timetable for nominations which has been mismanaged from the start and is now in total disarray.
“I am calling for an extension of the timetable for nominations and a reduction of the threshold so that everyone can get on the ballot paper and our members can have a full range of candidates from all wings of the party from which to choose.”