Phillips on the brink as Starmer wins union support

JESS PHILLIPS was last night struggling to stay in the Labour leadership race after the most likely union to back her opted to support Sir Keir Starmer instead.

USDAW, the shopworkers’ union, said Sir Keir was “someone who can persuade voters that they have what it takes to be a prime minister”, and supported Angela Rayner as its deputy leadership candidate.

The nomination means three of the big five Labour unions are yet to nominate a candidate, with Unite and the CWU expected to back Rebecca Longbailey and the GMB expected to choose between Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir.

Last night’s USDAW committee decision puts Sir Keir into the final round of the contest, where members and registered supporters will vote directly for their preferred candidate.

Joining him there is likely to be Ms Long-bailey, who has strong support from both Momentum and the unions.

To remain in the race, Ms Phillips and Emily Thornberry will now need the backing of five per cent of local Labour groups to demonstrate they have the support of the membership.

In the local associations they will both face strong resistance from Momentum.

While Ms Thornberry has an established track record in Jeremy Corbyn’s top team, Ms Phillips’ record as a moderate backbencher and opponent of the leadership will make her less popular with many members.

The bad news for Ms Phillips’ campaign came as she hit out at the “patronising” idea that working-class credentials are the most important qualification to replace Mr Corbyn.