Labour leadership favourite Keir Starmer ‘plans scorched earth removal of hard-Left if he takes over from Jeremy Corbyn this week’
- Labour leader result being declared at behind-closed doors event on Saturday
- Sir Keir Starmer is expected to be installed as the successor to Jeremy Corbyn
- Claims that Sir Keir will go for a ‘scorched earth’ removal of hard-Left figures
Sir Keir Starmer is planning a ‘scorched earth’ removal of the hard-Left if he wins the Labour leadership this week, it was claimed today.
The shadow Brexit secretary is expected to romp to victory when the result of the contest is announced on Saturday.
And allies of outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn are braced for him to wield the axe, promoting moderates to key positions.
Allies have previously suggested that Sir Keir would snub closest rival Rebecca Long-Bailey for the crucial job of shadow chancellor.
Instead there is speculation he will promote Rachel Reeves, a former Bank of England economist who was effectively shut out of the front bench during Mr Corbyn’s tenure.
Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer (piictured at the last public leadership hustings on March 8) is expected to romp to victory when the result of the contest is announced on Saturday
Last week Mr Corbyn was widely ridiculed for saying the government’s huge bailout for stricken workers and business had proved him absolutely right
Starmer is expected to romp to victory, beating Rebecca Long-Bailey (left) and there is speculation that he will promote Rachel Reeves (right)
A source close to the current leadership told the Sunday Times: ‘He wants young softlefties who are brainy and, importantly, who most people don’t recognise.’
Another member of the Corbyn team said: ‘It’s scorched earth, what he’s doing. He obviously thinks the left was a momentary phase in our history and that we should be apologised for and forgotten.’
Mr Corbyn’s close aides and Karie Murphy, and party general secretary Jennie Formby are widely expected to go when the leadership changed. Seumas Milne has reportedly already signalled he will resign.
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth, one of the few moderates to stay in place throughout the Corbyn years, is likely to keep his post in the new regime.
Rebecca Long Bailey, the left-wing leadership candidate, and Lisa Nandy, Starmer’s other rival, are expected to be offered jobs but will be kept out of his core team.
Polls have suggested Sir Keir is a long way ahead of his rivals Ms Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy.
The announcement on Saturday will be made from behind closed doors, after the coronavirus situation caused the cancellation of a special conference.
Last week Mr Corbyn was widely ridiculed for saying the government’s huge bailout for stricken workers and business had proved him absolutely right.
Polls have suggested Sir Keir is a long way ahead of his rivals Ms Long-Bailey (right)and Lisa Nandy (centre)
He suggested the public had failed to understand what the country needed when they dealt Labour its worst election drubbing since 1925 before Christmas.
Ms Long-Bailey confirmed today that all candidates are to pre-record a victory speech ahead of the winner being announced.
The shadow business secretary told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: ‘I think it’s trying to deal with these strange times and have an announcement on the leadership contest that our members and the public can view from their homes really.
‘It’s logistically quite challenging and I think we’ve all been asked to do this victory speech so that it can be send out over the airwaves as quickly as possible after we win.
‘I haven’t done mine yet, by the way.’
Asked if she would feel awkward recording the video ahead of the result, Ms Long-Bailey said: ‘It’s going to be a bit bizarre.’