Scottish Daily Mail

The party crown contenders

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The success-shy millionair­e

SIR KEIR STARMER

The pitch: A return to competence after years of chaos

The big challenge: Winning back Labour Leavers after championin­g Remain Odds: 8/11

The former human rights lawyer is the bookies’ favourite. As shadow Brexit secretary, the 57-year-old was a key player in shaping Labour’s Brexit policy. He joined the exodus of frontbench­ers against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016, but returned after the coup failed. The grammar school boy is shy of his success. His website makes no mention of his knighthood, and a reference to his millionair­e status vanished from his Wikipedia page last month. The man to beat.

Shares flat with her rival

REBECCA LONG BAILEY

The pitch: Corbyn’s heir apparent The big challenge: Overcoming an acute lack of charisma Odds: 7/2

The 40-year-old business spokesman has been groomed by Mr Corbyn’s allies as the ‘continuity’ candidate to carry on his hard-Left mission. But little is known about the former solicitor. She shares a flat with shadow education secretary Angela Rayner, who many think would make a better candidate.

Don’t call me ‘Lady’

EMILY THORNBERRY

The pitch: Will stand up to Boris Johnson and Donald Trump

The big challenge: Playing down claims she is a snob

Odds: 40/1 The Shadow Foreign Secretary, 59, was sacked by Ed Miliband in 2014 over a tweet mocking a house draped in an England flag. She is now threatenin­g to sue Caroline Flint after the former minister said she had told a Labour MP in a northern Leave constituen­cy: ‘I’m glad my constituen­ts aren’t as stupid as yours.’ The former barrister is married to High Court judge Sir Christophe­r Nugee, but bristles at being referred to by her honorary title Lady Nugee.

Foul-mouthed Corbyn critic

JESS PHILLIPS

Pitch: Will dismantle the Corbyn project

The big challenge: Persuading Labour activists she is on their side

Odds: 9/1 The 38-year-old former women’s refuge worker has built a high profile with attacks on Mr Corbyn and his allies, but has yet to hold even a junior role on the Labour front bench. Boasted that she had told Diane Abbott to ‘f*** off’.

Punched wall in a rage

CLIVE LEWIS

Pitch: Believes Labour needs to move even further Left to win

The big challenge: Lack of name recognitio­n in a crowded field

Odds: 20/1 Left-winger and uber-Remainer. The former BBC reporter, 48, has suggested Labour lost the election because it was not Left-wing enough. Was forced to apologise for telling a male activist: ‘Get on your knees, b **** .’ Has a reputation for being hot-headed and once punched a wall in frustratio­n.

The Brexit ditherer

LISA NANDY

Pitch: Will reconnect Labour with smalltown Britain

The big challenge: Convincing people she is tough enough to lead

Odds: 10/1 The popular MP for Wigan gained a reputation as a ditherer on Brexit last year, but the 40-year-old’s status as an opponent of Mr Corbyn makes her an outside bet.

Architect of election defeat

IAN LAVERY

Pitch: Will embrace Brexit

The big challenge: Glossing over his role in Labour’s election disaster

Odds: 28/1 As Labour Party chairman, Mr Lavery, 56, was the architect of the election campaign that produced the party’s worst defeat since 1935. But as the sole Brexiteer candidate, he blames Remainers, saying traditiona­l voters did not want a second referendum.

 ??  ?? Joust: Sir Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips on TV yesterday
Joust: Sir Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips on TV yesterday

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