Momentum chief won’t fight for top party job

MOMENTUM chief Jon Lansman last night quit the race to be Labour’s next general secretary amid fears of a damaging fight against Unite’s Jennie Formby. Mr Lansman, who founded the support group which propelled Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership, insisted he had achieved his goals by standing for the post. His decision to pull out will ease fears among Labour’s Left-wing that the contest would have been divisive.

Mr Lansman said: ‘When I declared my interest in becoming Labour’s general secretary my aims were to open up the contest [and] instigate a debate... with my aims fulfilled I’ve decided to step back to focus on my role on the National Executive Committee.’ It leaves Miss Formby as the front runner in the race.