Is Labour race set for La La Land moment?

THE race t o succeed Jeremy Corbyn could end this week in a disastrous repeat of the 2017 Oscars when the wrong winner was named, MPs have warned.

Firm favourite Sir Keir Starmer and rivals Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long Bailey have been asked to pre- record victory speeches because a full-scale ceremony has to been cancelled due to coronavirus. The winner’s video is set to be released when the result is announced on Saturday.

But MPs say the party’s organisation has become so shambolic under Mr Corbyn that they worry the wrong one will be played.

‘ I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a repeat of the Oscars fiasco with Rebecca announced as the winner – only for the smile to be wiped off her fans’ faces when they’re told, “Oops, it was Keir who actually won it,” ’ said an insider.

Three years ago, the Oscars descended into farce when La La Land was declared the winner of the Best Film, only for the prize to go to Moonlight moments later.

Another Labour backbencher said: ‘Let’s face it – we’ll probably still be in La La Land whoever wins this week.’

The scope for a mix-up or mischief-making is compounded by the fact that all five deputy leadership candidates are also having to make videos.

‘Given the way so much at Labour HQ leaks, it doesn’t take much imagination to see how this could be used for petty score-settling,’ said one MP.

Making a video could prove challenging for deputy leadership favourite Angela Rayner, who suspects that she is suffering from coronavirus.