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Clive Lewis joins Emily Thornberry in Labour leadership contest to replace Jeremy Corbyn

Lisa Nandy, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Sir Keir Starmer have suggested they may also stand, but have not officially declared yet.

Tania Snuggs

News reporter

Friday 20 December 2019 04:09, UK

Labour party Leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses delegates and members during his keynote speech at the ACC on September 28, 2016 in Liverpool, England. On the last day of the annual Labour party conference leader Jeremy Corbyn called for unity and to "rebuild trust" in preparation for a possible snap election next year.
Image: Clive Lewis alongside Emily Thornberry at the Labour Party's annual conference three years ago
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Shadow treasury minister Clive Lewis has become the second Labour MP to officially enter the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn as party leader.

It comes after shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry confirmed on Wednesday that she would also be standing for the top job.

Mr Lewis, MP for Norwich South, told the Guardian newspaper he wanted to "win back the trust" of voters who deserted the party in favour of Boris Johnson's Conservatives last Thursday - and "unleash" the Labour movement to win its first general election since 2005.

He said: "The truth is that while making a clear break with the New Labour era in terms of policy and personnel, the party was never able to communicate this to voters in our heartlands.

Emily Thornberry confirmed on Wednesday she would stand for the top job
Image: Emily Thornberry confirmed on Wednesday she would stand for the top job

"When trying to persuade them of our radicalism and sincerity, we often had the legacy of the 2000s thrown back in our faces.

"Persuading voters that we understand the sources of their long-held resentment and frustration, of their disappointment in how Labour has conducted itself since the 1990s, will be the first step towards winning back their trust."

Labour MP Clive Lewis denies claims of inappropriate behaviour
Image: In 2017, Clive Lewis was cleared of sexual harassment after an internal Labour investigation

In 2017, Mr Lewis faced criticism from politicians on both sides of the Commons after a clip of him emerged telling a man to "get on your knees b****" during a comic quiz held at a fringe event during Labour's Brighton conference.

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He apologised "unreservedly" and said the language he used was "offensive and unacceptable".

He was also accused of pinching a female Labour member's bottom at the Momentum: The World Transformed festival - organised by the pro-Corbyn group - but he was later cleared of sexual harassment after an internal investigation.

Lisa Nandy
Image: Lisa Nandy has said she is 'seriously thinking' about standing
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre), shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey in his office in the Houses of Parliament
Image: Sir Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey have suggested they may also stand

The contest to succeed Mr Corbyn has not officially started, but Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has said she is "seriously thinking" about standing.

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, and arch-Remainer and Tottenham MP David Lammy have also expressed an interest.

A number of other candidates are expected to declare in the coming weeks.