LABOUR PICK KEIR TO LEAD

Starmer ends the Corbyn era

SIR Keir Starmer has been named the new leader of the Labour Party.

The former Director of Public Prosecutions, 57, took 56% of the vote to replace Jeremy Corbyn, who was at the helm for five years.

Sir Keir saw off Rebecca LongBailey, who secured 27.6%, and Lisa Nandy, who got just 16.2%.

Manchester MP Angela Rayner, 40, was elected deputy leader.

After his appointment yesterday Sir Keir, inset, said: “I will lead this great party into a new era, with confidence and hope, so that when the time comes we can serve our country again – in government.” Mr Corbyn, 70, said in December he would quit as Labour leader after the party suffered its worst election defeat since 1935.

It followed years of party in-fighting, accusations of antiSemitism and bitter divisions over Brexit.

The announcement of Sir Keir’s appointment yesterday was due to be made at a special Labour conference but, because of the coronavirus outbreak, it was replaced with a simple email announcement with a pre-recorded message to Labour supporters.

PM Boris Johnson offered his congratulations, adding: “We agreed on the importance of all party leaders continuing to work constructively together through this national emergency.” Actor Tony Robinson wrote: “I have just rejoined the Labour Party. So sad about the moral disgrace of the last five years. But so happy to have a new leader who can put things right.”