Starmer: I’ll rebuild trust in our party

SIR Keir Starmer today announces his run to replace Jeremy Corbyn.

The shadow Brexit secretary has revealed his leadership bid and admits Labour face an “uphill struggle” against Boris Johnson’s Commons majority.

But the party must hold his Tory government to account for the promises they made before the election.

The shadow Brexit secretary will today launch his campaign on a visit to Brexitbacking Stevenage.

And last night he released a video featuring Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered Steven Lawrence – telling the story of his career including his work as a legal adviser to the National Union of Mineworkers, environmental activists and people fighting the poll tax.

He said: “I’m proud to be announcing my candidacy for the Labour leadership. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the campaign trail and talking to people from across the country about how Labour can rebuild and win. We need a Labour Government that will offer hope of a better future.

“That is only going to happen if Labour listens to people about what needs to change and how we can restore trust in our party as a force for good.”

Sir Keir became the fifth Labour MP to formally throw their hat in the ring. Friday night saw both Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy launch their campaigns.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry and Shadow Economics Minister Clive Lewis had already officially declared.

Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long Bailey, a Corbyn ally favoured on the left of the party, is still “seriously considering” whether to run for the leadership – as is party chairman Ian Lavery, who is also close to Mr Corbyn.

But London MP David Lammy ruled himself out of the race yesterday.

He said: “I’m committed to playing my full part in opposition, but we need the candidate best placed to unite our party’s factions so we can win the country’s trust.”

Ms Phillips visited the Bury North constituency that fell from Labour to the Tories to meet former supporters.

The Corbyn critic warned in a separate statement that Labour is in “big trouble” if it cannot win back the trust of its working-class base. “We have got to be brave and bold and bring people with us, not try and look all ways.”

Voice of the Sunday People: Page 14