Earlier in the week I wrote that it would be interesting to see who Jon Cruddas came out in support for during the leadership contest – given that he was a cigarette paper away from standing himself.
Today, I’m told, he’s likely to to nominate Diane Abbott, doubling her tally of names in one stroke of the pen. Until now she only had the backing of David Lammy, who – some presume – may intend to support David Miliband in the final showdown.
The Cruddas support may be equally nuanced, I suspect. He wants to ensure that party members get a range of choices in the vote rather than just the obvious handful of Eds and Milibands. As with Lammy, it doesn’t mean that Abbott will get his vote in August – even if she gets the full 33 nominations.
David Miliband yesterday said he would use his own vote to support one of those trailing in the nominations; but only if they were already pretty close to the finishing line.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey