‘S trained’ Corbyn lines up fiery stand-in
A LEFT-WING rising star is being lined up to replace Jeremy Corbyn amid fears the Labour leader’s health will force him to stand down before he can get to No 10.
Docker’s daughter Rebecca Long Bailey has been privately ‘anointed’ by leading Corbynistas as their best hope of carrying on the ‘Corbyn project’, sources said last night.
The claim emerged after the fiery Labour business spokesman, a protegée of key Corbyn ally John McDonnell, was picked to form part of Labour’s Brexit team last week to thrash out a deal with the Government.
But it also comes amid increasing predictions from Labour colleagues that Mr Corbyn, 70 next month, is already feeling the strain and will have to step aside. Just two weeks ago, his office was forced to confirm that he was undergoing treatment at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for a muscle weakness in his right eye which required him to wear corrective glasses.
The revelation was quickly followed by Labour insisting that Mr Corbyn goes for regular runs, cycles and goes to the gym. But the keep-fit counter-claims have failed to convince many fellow MPs.
One said: ‘The strains of being Opposition leader would tax a man 20 years younger and it’s clearly taking its toll on Jeremy.
‘Not only does he look much older, but he needs time off after stressful days to recover. Many of us expect him to stand down before too long.’
Last night, party insiders said leading Corbynistas were now throwing their weight behind Salford MP Long Bailey, 39, to pick up the reins.
One of 36 MPs who originally nominated Mr Corbyn for the leadership in 2015, the former solicitor is seen as fiercely loyal to his Leftwing vision.
Labour MPs say the fact she was on the Brexit talks team – alongside chief Corbyn aide Seumas Milne and Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer – demonstrated how much Mr Corbyn’s inner circle now trust Ms Long Bailey.
One said: ‘She’s also fearless in front of the cameras and nearly always sticks to the Corbynista line.’
But critics argue she is too young and inexperienced to take on the top job in the near future. One said: ‘Rebecca may be very good but she’s just not ready yet.’
Ms Long Bailey is also expected to be up against tough competition from party schools spokeswoman Angela Rayner, who has angered Mr Corbyn’s office by reportedly despairing that he will ever lead the party to power.
Deputy leader Tom Watson and Shadow Chancellor Mr McDonnell himself are also understood to have leadership ambitions.
But last night, Labour dismissed talk of Mr Corbyn having to step down. A party spokesperson said: ‘False speculation about people’s health is contemptible.
‘Jeremy is in good health, on the campaign trail every week, travelling the country, and runs and cycles regularly.’