In a highly unexpected result, Jeremy Corbyn’s constituency of Islington North has nominated Keir Starmer to be Labour party leader rather than Rebecca Long-Bailey.
The Islington North CLP (constituency Labour party) has nominated Starmer to be leader of the Labour party and Angela Rayner to be deputy leader.
The CLP nominated Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 and 2016 and the move is being seen as a real snub for Long-Bailey who was seen closest to Corbyn’s leadership and the natural choice of candidate.
Starmer won the nomination with 3 more votes than Long-Bailey – with 138 votes to her 135.
The unexpected result has triggered disbelief and shock on social media with people saying it shows the lack of faith in Rebecca Long-Bailey’s campaigning.
Starmer cancelled taking part in the hustings as his mother-in-law remains in a critical condition in hospital after an accident last month.
The new Labour leader will be revealed on April 4