Keir Starmer’s first challenge as Labour leader

As expected, Sir Keir Starmer has been announced as the new leader of the Labour party. The former shadow Brexit secretary won on first preference votes with 56 per cent of the vote to Rebecca Long Bailey on 27 per cent and Nandy on 16 per cent. Angela Rayner has been elected as deputy leader on third preference votes. Starmer quickly emerged as the favourite in the contest after the preferred Corbyn candidate Long-Bailey failed to make an impression.

The margin by which Starmer has won means that he has a strong mandate when it comes to his leadership. Privately Starmer’s allies have suggested that the clearer his win, the more drastic the change he will try to bring about. Throughout the contest he has kept his cards relatively close to his chest – winning support both from unashamed Blairites and Corbynite Momentum members.

In his acceptance speech, Starmer spelled out the long road ahead:

‘We’ve just lost four elections in a row.