City’s support for Starmer as leader

Labour Party leader candidate Kier Starmer has won the backing of Sunderland members.

The favourite for the leadership visited the city where he addressed a full house at the Hetton Centre and outlined his programme and vision to rebuild Labour.

All three constituency Labour parties gave him their nomination ahead of the final announcement in London on April 4.

Bridget Phillipson MP for Houghton and Sunderland South said: "I believe Keir can reconnect with voters, rebuild our party and win the next election, and today was the first step in earning the trust of voters in our region once again.

“Keir has the credibility and authority that my constituents respect, but also combines these with strong Labour values that are embedded into the very fabric of Sunderland.

“I believe under Keir that Labour can be a credible and serious force for government."

Houghton & Sunderland South Labour Party secretary Les Scott said: “Keir won overwhelmingly to gain our nomination and I expect the wider membership will support him in the ballot.

“Keir was in Sunderland in September last year as our guest and clearly won over many members as a future leader. Today he elaborated in detail what Labour needs to do to become a Party of government again and he certainly went down well with his audience.

“We have experienced a new surge in members since the general election.

“It looks like many have joined for the long haul and the rebuild of the Party.”