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Mary Creagh Quits Labour Leadership Race

Mary Creagh Quits Labour Leadership Race

Mary Creagh has pulled out of the race to become the next Labour leader.

The shadow international development secretary took the decision to stand aside after it became clear she was not going to reach the required 35 MP nominations to go through to the next round.

Writing in the Guardian, she urged the next leader to do more to support business and aspiration.

She warned: "Labour cannot be the party of working people and then disapprove when some working people do very well for themselves and create new businesses, jobs and wealth."

Labour had lost trust on the economy, according to Ms Creagh, and she also called for her party to campaign to stay in the EU.

She said she would not publicly back any other candidate.

Ms Creagh was a centre candidate who surprised many by standing and subsequently failed to make a strong impact on her colleagues.

It was thought she had around 10 nominees leaving her well short as the deadline for nominations approaches on Monday.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham remains the front runner with 66 nominations, Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary has 56, and Liz Kendall has 46.

Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, has also thrown his hat in the ring but remains below the required number with 17 supporters even though a new poll shows he has grassroots support.

A straw poll of LabourList found Mr Corbyn was the first choice for 47% of readers, with Andy Burnham on 13%, Liz Kendall on 11% and Yvette Cooper on 9%.

The Labour Party has confirmed a series of televised hustings which will take place in marginal seats they had hoped to win.

The first will be on Wednesday 17 June broadcast on the BBC's Newsnight.

Sky News will also host a televised debate, as will Channel 4, The Sunday Politics, 5Live and LBC.

Harriet Harman, interim leader of the Labour Party said: "The new leader we elect on September 12 will be able to make immediate progress in taking our Party forward towards the General Election victory that will, we believe, be needed more than ever.

"To make sure we get the right leader, the best leader, we must let the public in.

"Previously, we have chosen our leader then introduced them to the public. This time we are introducing them to the public first.

"Having the leadership hustings live on TV is one part of that. No cosy contest, seeing how the candidates can reach out to those we need to win over.

"No more asking ourselves who we like, but instead asking the country who they like."