The strengths and weaknesses of leading Labour MPs in the frame to succeed Jeremy Corbyn

Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy are leading the early stages of the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader.

After the party’s general election disaster, favourite Ms Long-Bailey is among the left-wing “Corbynista” MPs expected to stand in next year’s contest - though moderates such as Keir Starmer are also in the frame.

Yahoo News UK spoke to Prof Tim Bale, a leading politics professor from London’s Queen Mary University, for his view of the prospective hopefuls, with Mr Corbyn’s ideology looming large over the contest.

Here, Prof Bale lists the key strengths and weaknesses of the nine MPs given the best odds by the Oddschecker website on Monday afternoon.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Salford and Eccles (7/4)

Strengths: “Supported by current leadership and therefore popular with the membership. Northern MP.”

Weaknesses: “Supported by current leadership and therefore tainted by association.”

Lisa Nandy, Wigan (7/2)

Strengths: “Done or sponsored lots of interesting work on why Labour has found it difficult to hold on to northern towns. Quite an experienced media performer. Generally well regarded in the media.”

Weaknesses: “Hasn’t been in a leadership position. Resigned from the Jeremy Corbyn frontbench.”

Keir Starmer, Holborn and St Pancras (8/1)

Strengths: “Safe pair of hands. Very much a moderate. Widely regarded as a clever and competent media performer.”

Weaknesses: “Not a Corbynista. Some would say he lacks charisma.”

Jess Phillips, Birmingham Yardley (12/1)

Strengths: “Would take the attack to the Tories, many of whom fear her. Eminently relatable. Big personality.”

Weaknesses: “Has not minced her words about Corbyn and the direction he took the party.”

Angela Rayner, Ashton-under-Lyne (20/1)

Strengths: “Backstory. On the left but not a Corbynista sock puppet. Has performed well in her shadow education brief.”

Weaknesses: “Not a Corbynista.”

Yvette Cooper, Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (22/1)

Strengths: “Safe pair of hands. Ministerial experience. Has performed well as a select committee chair.”

Weaknesses: “Has fought and lost a previous leadership contest. Perhaps seen as too New Labour.”

Clive Lewis, Norwich South (33/1)

Strengths: “Good media performer as a former journalist.”

Weaknesses: “Not a confirmed Corbynista.”

Dan Jarvis, Barnsley Central (33/1)

Strengths: “Good backstory. Won a mayoral contest. Northern MP.”

Weaknesses: “Seems to have faded from the public eye in the last parliamentary term.”

Emily Thornberry, Islington South and Finsbury (40/1)

Strengths: “Eager media performer. Combative parliamentarian.”

Weaknesses: “Seen, wrongly, by some as too posh. The St George’s flag incident.”

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