The party crown contenders
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.