Why Reynolds is backing Starmer for Labour leader

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds has thrown his support behind Sir Keir Starmer to become the Labour Party's new leader.

His announcement comes less than a week after he supported his Tameside colleague and Ashton MP Angela Rayner in her campaign to become deputy leader of the party.

Mr Reynolds openly admitted that his victory in last month’s General Election had ‘bucked the national trend’ as safe Labour seats were toppled by the Tories across the north.

As the Labour Party assesses the scale of the defeat and makes plans to rebuild to offer a credible alternative to the government - Jonathan Reynolds has made it clear that the party needs a new direction to become electable.

He told the Reporter in an interview why he was backing Keir Starmer for the top job, ahead of MP Rebecca Long-Bailey - Angela Rayner’s preferred choice.

Mr Reynolds said: “When I was out canvassing in the general election or talking to people, if they told me they weren’t voting Labour this time because they didn’t like the Labour leadership, I asked who they would like.

“And Sir Keir’s name was always one that was mentioned - and people like now what he is saying.

“This can’t be a choice now of going back to the 1990s or the 1970s, we have got to have something for the future.

“If I look at the challenges for my constituency and for Tameside as a whole, especially on the economy, I can see that radical ambition from someone like Keir but I also think he is credible, I can say this is the right person, the best person being put forward to be Prime Minister.

“He has a fabulous, professional track record of public service to do that, and I can put him forward with pride and so I really hope he wins it.”

In a social media post, he added: “There is a strong range of candidates for Leader with much to offer the party and the country, but ultimately I believe that Keir has the drive, talent and experience to unite the Labour Party, hold the government to account, and present an alternative vision which appeals to areas like ours and the whole of Britain.”

He further stated: “Angela is a political force of nature - honest, authentic, unifying, straight talking, canny and extremely hard working. Her bid is great news for Tameside- our parliamentary neighbour Andrew Gwynne was proud to nominate her too.

“I am hopeful and excited by the potential for Labour to rebuild as a radical but credible and relateable force for good in British politics.”

In the wider context about why Labour had lost and the nature of the defeat, Jonathan told the Reporter: “You have to be humble when you’ve lost and I don’t think you can blame it on the press or anything that gives you an easy way out.

“You have to be honest that too many of our own supporters told us this time around that they didn’t think who we were putting forward to be Prime Minister was credible in their eyes and they didn’t think, even if they liked individual policies, that the overall programme was credible in the sense it could be delivered.

“Of course that’s tough to hear but that is what people told us and we have to listen to that and respond to that, and I’m determined that the next time we go to the country people will say we did listen and we got it right.” 

Main image:

Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Jonathan Reynolds