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General Election 2019: Who will be Labour's next leader? General Election 2019: Who will be Labour's next leader?
(2 days later)
Jeremy Corbyn has said that he won't lead Labour into the next election, after the party suffered its worst defeat since 1935. As politicians return to Westminster following the Christmas break, the race to be Labour's next leader is in full swing.
Current shadow chancellor John McDonnell has ruled himself out of the contest, and says he wants the party to pick a female leader. After the worst electoral defeat since 1935, Jeremy Corbyn said he would not lead the party into the next election, but is staying in place until his successor is named.
So far there are more women than men included in the possible runners and riders in the race. Here are some of the hopefuls, with analysis from BBC Reality Check and BBC Politics.
Here are some of the potential hopefuls, with analysis from BBC Reality Check. Who is running for Labour's leadership?
Who will run for Labour leadership? Labour has never had a female leader, but so far there are more women than men in the running for the top job. The first to throw her hat into the ring was 59-year-old shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry. She deputised for Mr Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions, but was replaced after publicly calling for Labour to back another EU referendum. She worked as a barrister before becoming MP for Islington South and Finsbury.
The 40-year-old MP for Wigan became the fourth Labour figure to declare she is standing for the leadership, in a letter to the Wigan Post. One of a clutch of shadow ministers who resigned from Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench after the Brexit referendum, she has been urging her party to concentrate on winning support in smaller towns. The 48-year-old shadow Treasury minister resigned from the party's frontbench last year in order to oppose the bill triggering the Brexit process. An early supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, the MP for Norwich South and former journalist has since criticised what he called the party's failure to effectively tackle anti-Semitism. He says his position as "a mixed-heritage black man" sees him well-placed to combat racism.
The 57-year old shadow Brexit secretary used an article in the Sunday Mirror to announce he is running to replace Mr Corbyn. Likely to be seen as the centrist candidate in the race, Sir Keir said Labour needs to "rebuild fast" to restore trust. A passionate Remainer, he was director of public prosecutions before entering Parliament. The 38-year-old Birmingham Yardley MP, who worked for charity Women's Aid before entering politics, was the third Labour figure to declare she would stand for the leadership. She has been one of the most outspoken critics of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and the party's record on tackling anti-Semitism, bullying and harassment.
The 40-year old shadow business secretary is another MP to announce she is considering going for the top job. One of a new generation of MPs on the left of the party who is close to Mr Corbyn's inner circle, she represented Labour in a TV debate during the election. The 40-year-old MP for Wigan became the fourth Labour figure to declare her bid in a letter to the Wigan Post. She worked in the charitable sector before entering politics in 2010. One of a clutch of shadow ministers who resigned from Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench after the Brexit referendum, Ms Nandy has become known for her support of smaller towns. She believes the party needs to appeal to voters outside big cities if it is to win at the next election.
The 38-year-old Birmingham Yardley MP became the third Labour figure to declare she is standing for the leadership. She has been one of the most outspoken critics of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and the party's record on tackling anti-Semitism, bullying and harassment. The 57-year-old shadow Brexit secretary used an article in the Sunday Mirror to announce his candidacy. A centrist candidate and likely front-runner in the race, he has said Labour needs to "rebuild fast" to restore trust. A passionate Remainer, he was director of public prosecutions before becoming MP for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015.
The 59-year old shadow foreign secretary was the first to declare she is running to succeed Mr Corbyn. She deputised for him at Prime Minister's Questions, but was replaced after publicly calling for Labour to back another EU referendum. Who could still enter the race?
The 50-year old, a former cabinet minister under Gordon Brown's premiership, said last month that she would "decide over Christmas" whether to stand, and has made no statement since then. She was an unsuccessful challenger to Jeremy Corbyn during the 2015 leadership contest. The 40-year-old shadow business secretary is expected to run and has already set out her vision for Labour's future. One of a new generation of MPs on the left of the party, she formed part of Mr Corbyn's inner circle, representing Labour in a TV debate during the election. She is widely regarded as the preferred candidate of Mr Corbyn and his shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, but critics of the current leadership have accused her of representing "continuity Corbyn".
The 48-year-old shadow Treasury minister resigned from the party's frontbench last year in order to oppose the bill triggering the Brexit process. An early supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, he rejoined in January last year. Some had expected a run by prominent backbencher Yvette Cooper, who lost a leadership race to Mr Corbyn in 2015. However, several newspapers have reported she is now unlikely to run amid fears she would be unpopular among party members.
There is also speculation that former trade unionist Ian Lavery could run, while Tottenham MP David Lammy has ruled himself out.
What about the deputy leader?What about the deputy leader?
The post was vacated at the election when former Labour MP Tom Watson said he was stepping down, both from the role and as a member of Parliament. The post has also been vacant since the election, when former Labour MP Tom Watson said he was stepping down, both from the role and as a member of Parliament.
This means it will also be up for grabs in the upcoming contest. This means it is now up for grabs, with the winner chosen in a separate contest entirely.
Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon announced on Twitter he would be running for the deputy leader post "after a break and discussions with MPs and party members". Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon declared his candidacy early. He is a loyal supporter of Mr Corbyn and has pledged to continue the current leader's policy agenda.
He previously said he had "made no secret" of the fact he would like Ms Long-Bailey to be the next head of the party. Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner has also joined the race and is likely to be a front-runner. She was a care worker and Unison official before becoming an MP, and has described herself as being on the "soft left" of the party.
But the shadow business secretary confirmed she would back Angela Rayner to be second in command. She has received the endorsement of her flat-mate and friend Ms Long Bailey.
The 39-year-old shadow education secretary was a care worker and Unison official before becoming an MP, and has described herself as being on the "soft left" of the party. Two other candidates have also entered the race to be deputy: shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler and shadow Europe minister Khalid Mahmood.
When could it happen?When could it happen?
Jeremy Corbyn has said that it's up to the National Executive Committee (NEC) - Labour's governing body - to decide when he goes as leader. Jeremy Corbyn has said it's up to the National Executive Committee (NEC) - Labour's governing body - to decide when he goes as leader.
But he has said that he expects a new leader to be selected early in the new year and the NEC are expected to meet next week.
The party's rulebook says that when both the leader and deputy leader are "permanently unavailable", the NEC calls a postal ballot.The party's rulebook says that when both the leader and deputy leader are "permanently unavailable", the NEC calls a postal ballot.
The NEC may want to have a new leader in place before local elections in England, scheduled for 7 May. His successor is expected to be in place before council and mayoral elections at the start of May, with the contest likely to last around 12 weeks.
In 2015, the process took more than four months. Ed Miliband resigned on 8 May and Jeremy Corbyn was announced as winner on 12 September.In 2015, the process took more than four months. Ed Miliband resigned on 8 May and Jeremy Corbyn was announced as winner on 12 September.
Who can run?Who can run?
Candidates for leader and deputy leader have to be MPs, and they need nominations from 10% of Labour MPs and MEPs.Candidates for leader and deputy leader have to be MPs, and they need nominations from 10% of Labour MPs and MEPs.
And in a new rule, candidates also need nominations from 5% of Labour's constituency parties.And in a new rule, candidates also need nominations from 5% of Labour's constituency parties.
Alternatively, they need nominations from three affiliated bodies, two of which must be trades unions, adding up to 5% of affiliated members.Alternatively, they need nominations from three affiliated bodies, two of which must be trades unions, adding up to 5% of affiliated members.
Who can vote?Who can vote?
Members of the Labour Party, affiliated trades unions (if they opt in), and socialist societies such as the Fabians, all get one vote each.Members of the Labour Party, affiliated trades unions (if they opt in), and socialist societies such as the Fabians, all get one vote each.
In 2015, non-members were allowed to register as supporters and vote in the contest for a £3 fee.In 2015, non-members were allowed to register as supporters and vote in the contest for a £3 fee.
Those new registered supporters voted overwhelmingly for Jeremy Corbyn, though he gained enough support from members and affiliates to win anyway.Those new registered supporters voted overwhelmingly for Jeremy Corbyn, though he gained enough support from members and affiliates to win anyway.
In 2016, when Owen Smith challenged Jeremy Corbyn, the cost of registering was raised to £25 and people were given only two days to sign up. In 2016, when Owen Smith challenged Mr Corbyn, the cost of registering was raised to £25 and people were given only two days to sign up.
The cost and the time period for registering this time will be in the hands of the NEC.The cost and the time period for registering this time will be in the hands of the NEC.
How does the vote work?How does the vote work?
The votes are cast on a one-member, one-vote basis, by preferential ballot. The votes are cast on a one-member, one-vote basis.
That means that voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If any candidate gets more than half the votes, they win. Voters fill in a preferential ballot, meaning they rank the candidates in order of preference.
If any candidate gets more than half the first preference votes, they win.
If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their second preference votes are redistributed.If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their second preference votes are redistributed.
If that results in any candidate with more than half the votes, they win. If not, the remaining candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes redistributed, until the contest produces a winner.If that results in any candidate with more than half the votes, they win. If not, the remaining candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes redistributed, until the contest produces a winner.
Who controls the process?Who controls the process?
Labour's National Executive Committee has 39 members, representing the trades unions, the shadow cabinet, Labour's elected representatives at local, national and European level, and constituency parties.Labour's National Executive Committee has 39 members, representing the trades unions, the shadow cabinet, Labour's elected representatives at local, national and European level, and constituency parties.
Supporters of Jeremy Corbyn and the grassroots campaign group Momentum are strongly represented on the NEC, and they are likely to use their influence to promote a left-wing candidate in the coming election.Supporters of Jeremy Corbyn and the grassroots campaign group Momentum are strongly represented on the NEC, and they are likely to use their influence to promote a left-wing candidate in the coming election.
What about the deputy leader?
There is also a vacancy for deputy leader, as the incumbent Tom Watson stood down. It would be up to the NEC to decide when to have an election for a new deputy, although it would be cheaper and simpler to hold the votes at the same time.