Yahoo News How can I vote for the next Labour leader and what's the deadline to register?
The Labour Party’s beleaguered leader Jeremy Corbyn will stand down in the spring, with five contenders battling it out to replace him.
Sir Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey are the strong front-runners for the top job, with Jess Phillips, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry trailing behind.
However, the process to pick Mr Corbyn’s successor is far from simple, involving three stages and different categories of voters.
The remaining candidates have already passed the first hurdle, securing the backing of at least 22 MPs and MEPs on Monday, but the final winner won’t be chosen for another two and a half months.
So what do the next two stages involve? And how do members of the public register their vote to ensure they have their say?
Here’s our guide on how to vote for the next Labour leader.
Phase two of the election process
Having survived the first round of nominations, the five candidates have entered the more complex second phase.
This lasts a month – running from January 15 until February 14 – and offers candidates two options:
Secure the backing of Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs): for this, they’ll need to gain the support of five per cent of Labour’s local parties to make it onto the final ballot.
Affiliated supporters: For this they’ll need the backing of two major trade unions, such as Unite or GMB, and another socialist organisation, such as the Fabian Society. A list of all the affiliated trade unions and societies can be found here.
Candidates who secure the required support via either of these channels make it through to the third and final round of votes from party members and supporters.
I’m not part of an affiliated group or a party member, can I still vote?
Yes. Supporters of the party can vote in the leadership election without being fully-fledged members, but you will need to register first.
How do I register as a supporter and what’s the deadline?
Online applications for registered supporters close at 5pm on January 16 and can be made here.
To be eligible, you must be on the electoral register, meet Labour's membership criteria and pay a fee of £25.
Applicants who have supported another political organisation other than the Labour Party within the past two years, or stood against an official Labour candidate, will be excluded.
How do I register as a Labour Party member instead?
Another way of securing your vote in the leadership election is to register as a Labour party member.
The deadline for joining the party in time to vote is 5pm on January 20.
Membership costs £4.38 per month.
What happens once I’m registered to vote?
Eligible voters with received their ballot consisting of candidates’ statements and lists of any nominations.
Anyone with a verified email address will be sent their ballot online. Anyone without a verified email address will be sent their ballot by post.
Once the second phase of nominations has concluded, the ballot for registered party members and supporters will open on February 21.
Voting will close on April 2, with the new Labour leader declared at a special conference in London on April 4.
Key dates in the leadership race
January 13
First-round nominations from MPs and MEPS closed at 2.30pm, leaving Rebecca Long Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips, Sir Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry still in the running.
January 14 - 16
Applications for registered supporters opened at 5pm on Tuesday 14, closing at the same time on Thursday 16.
January 15
Nominations open for Constituency Labour Parties and affiliates.
January 18
The first of seven hustings takes place in Liverpool.
January 20
Freeze date to register voting eligibility for new members and affiliated supporters.
February 16
The last scheduled hustings take place in London.
February 21
Ballot opens for Labour party members, registered and affiliated supporters, with voters ranking candidates in order of preference.
April 2
Ballot closes.
April 4
Results are announced and the new Labour leader is declared.
