Although the Corbynites are at pains to promote Rebecca Long-Bailey as Jeremy Corbyn’s socialist successor, not everyone seems so convinced. In fact, Mr S understands that Labour moderates yesterday took action to stop the shadow business secretary from joining an upcoming by-election selection panel.
After Manchester Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman passed away this month, the hunt is on to select a Labour candidate to stand as a successor. Hoping for that candidate to be a Corbynista, the Leader’s Office suggested Rebecca Long-Bailey, the MP for Salford, join the selection panel. Alas Steerpike understands that this suggestion was turned down by the officers’ group when they chose the panel — much to the dismay of Team Corbyn. Instead the spot is thought to have been given to Keith Vaz.
When you’re less popular than Keith Vaz with your own party, Mr S suspects there is a problem…
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