Hartlepool Labour Party backs Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner in race for party leadership

The Hartlepool Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has voted to nominate the Holborn and St Pancras MP to take over.

The party, which has more than 600 members in the town, met on Friday, January 17 to debate the leadership election and vote on its preferred choice for both Leader and Deputy.

Following a range of passionate speeches it was agreed by an overwhelming majority to support Sir Keir Starmer for Leader and Angela Rayner for Deputy.

A party spokesperson said: “The field of candidates in this election is outstanding, but in Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner Hartlepool CLP believes we have the leadership team that can unite the party and the country to take on the Tories and return the Labour Party to government.

“This is important for Hartlepool and the country as a whole. Too many of our children live in poverty, too many of our public services are underfunded, there is a climate emergency and we need radical investment right across Britain, and especially the North, if we are going tackle the challenges we face.

“Only a united Labour Government will do this.”

To get on the final ballot, Leader and Deputy Leadership candidates must secure the backing of at least 33 CLPs or three affiliate organisations, such as trade unions.

The final list of candidates will then be put the entire Labour Party membership and registered supporters, with a final decision to be announced at a special conference on Saturday, April 4.