CORBYN OUT

Keir Starmer favourite to be next Labour leader – here’s who else could replace Jeremy Corbyn

Mark Hodge

Published: 3:51, 13 Dec 2019
Updated: 7:54, 14 Dec 2019

KEIR Starmer is the frontrunner to take charge of Labour from beleaguered Jeremy Corbyn - who has vowed to step down.

Corbyn said he would resign before the next general election after a disastrous campaign in which the Tories have won a landslide majority.

Sir Keir Starmer is the clear favourite to become Labour leader

Bookmakers William Hill have human rights lawyer Starmer, currently shadow Brexit secretary, as 2/1 favourite to succeed Jezza.

Other candidates include Rebecca Long-Bailey (4/1), Emily Thornberry (21/1), Yvette Cooper (8/1), Angela Rayner (7/1) and Jess Phillips (8/1).

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Labour's campaign has been overshadowed by anti-Semitism allegations and the leader's refusal to take a stand on Brexit. Corbyn vowed to step down as Labour leader before the next election after failing to win a second poll in a row.

As he won his seat in Islington North, Mr Corbyn: "I want to also make it clear that I will not lead the party in any future general election campaign. I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward. And I will lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future."

Mr Corbyn added: "This is obviously a very disappointing night for the Labour Party with the result that we've got."

Latest news:

- The final election result is now in showing Boris has won 47 extra seats for the Tories, but Labour has lost 59 - giving the Conservatives an 80-seat majority.
- Furious MPs have demanded Jeremy Corbyn quits immediately - and blamed him for turning the party into a "racist" one
- Sir Keir Starmer is the favourite to take over as Labour boss - but Jess Phillips threw her hat in the ring and Emily Thornberry also hinted at a run
- The pound surged by more than two per cent on the news of a Tory majority
- Brexit is to come 'soon' after Boris's election win after EU says it's 'ready for next phase'
- Donald Trump says US will strike massive new trade deal with Britain after Brexit
- A Queen's Speech is expected to be scheduled for next Thursday with the State Opening of Parliament

Corbyn's Labour is set to win just 191 seats, according to the 10pm exit pollCredit: AFP or licensors

Labour MP Jess Phillips, who is at 8/1 to take charge of Labour, says she is "devastated" by the projected election result and that her party needs a "change."

Speaking with Sky News, the MP for Birmingham Yardley refused to rule herself out of the leadership race. She said: "If people trust me, then yes I will take a role in rebuilding I'm not going to sit here and make headlines."

Ms Phillips said that the country has delivered a message to Labour and that the party has "to listen" to the electorate. She said: "The truth is people didn't trust us to deliver the manifesto. There is no trust left in politics. The bar has got so low we could allow somebody like Boris Johnson to rule our country with what seems like a blank cheque. We have got to rebuild trust."

After the disastrous exit poll, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC: "If it is anything near this it is disappointing." And he gave a hint that Mr Corbyn could stand down in hours if it were true. Mr McDonnell said: "Let's see the results themselves, as I say, the appropriate decisions will be made and we'll always make the decisions in the best interests of our party."

Already Labour MPs started blaming Brexit for the result. Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon tweeted: "Disappointing Exit Poll. Let's see if accurate. If, as it seems, this was a Brexit election then the next one won't be given Johnson’s Thatcherite agenda.

But a Labour Party spokesperson dismissed the exit poll and said: "It's only the beginning of the night, and it's too early to call the result."