Chuka can: his next leadership bid starts now

Last summer, Chuka Umunna disappointed his Blairite mentors when he dropped out of the Labour leadership race. Explaining his decision, Umunna said that he was uncomfortable with the level of pressure and scrutiny on both himself and his loved ones.

A lot has changed since then. With Jeremy Corbyn leading a fractious party — and Umunna now happily married — could a comeback be on the cards? After Keith Vaz stepped down from his role as chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday, Umunna has today confirmed that he will stand in the election to replace Vaz.

Umunna — who is already on the committee — will have to beat off competition from fellow Labour comrades, with Yvette Cooper and Fiona Mactaggart both tipped to run. However if successful the prestigious committee chairmanship would offer Umunna the perfect launchpad for a return to frontline politics. What’s more, judging by his recent