Keir Starmer becomes first Labour leadership candidate to make it onto ballot

Sir Keir Starmer has become the first Labour leadership candidate to receive the necessary support to make it on to the ballot after he was nominated by a retail trade union.

Retail trade union Usdaw secured Mr Starmer's place after it nominated him for the Labour leadership and Angela Rayner for the deputy leadership.

General secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Usdaw believes that Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are the right leadership team to unite and rebuild Labour after a devastating election loss.

“Our members desperately need Labour in power, they cannot afford another decade of Conservative governments attacking workers’ rights, incomes and public services.

“The Labour Party must be led by someone who can persuade voters that they have what it takes to be a prime minister and we are a government in waiting. That is at the heart of Usdaw’s decision to make these nominations.”

The move means that Sir Keir is the first candidate to receive the necessary support to make it on to the ballot, having won the nomination of at least two trade unions plus one affiliate comprising 5% of affiliate members.

Sir Keir said: “I’m honoured to have received Usdaw’s endorsement for the Labour leadership.

“Our campaign is building unity across the labour movement, amongst trade unionists and members.

“Usdaw represent over 400,000 workers and fights every day for its members and for a fairer society.

“If I’m elected leader, Labour will stand shoulder to shoulder with the trade union movement as we take on the Tories and rebuild trust with working people.”