Another hit at the new Labour Uncut blog where founder Sion Simon reveals that Labour’s NEC will extend the leadership nominations process after complaints from figures including Jon Cruddas. The four-day window for nominations would make it much harder for candidates (including new arrival Diane Abbott) to get through to the contest.
Apparently a sub-committee of the group is meeting and will agree that the existing system – nominations opening on Monday and closing on Thursday – is too swift. I’ve no idea who Simon’s sources are but worth pointing out that his close friend Tom Watson sits on the NEC: presumably his intell is sound.
UPDATE
Yes, it was spot on. Labour has just announced (one minute after this blog) that it will extend the process until June 9. Cue relief all around.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey