Straw won’t run in Labour leadership race
Former justice secretary Jack Straw has ruled himself out of running for the Labour party’s leadership.
Speaking on the Today programme, he said he had enjoyed a “good innings” of 13 years at the top of British politics and did not wish to continue on the frontline any longer.
“No one can persuade me,” he said.
Mr Straw said that he was not yet backing a candidate, after ex-foreign secretary David Miliband launched his bid outside parliament yesterday.
But he did press the importance of celebrating Labour’s record, saying this was of “profound importance”.
“The government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown was overall a very successful government which even David Cameron was gracious to admit had changed Britain for the better in some respects,” Mr Straw argued.
He acknowledged that “the next election is about the future”, however, adding: “We can’t just rest on our ‘New Labour laurels’.”
Mr Miliband has embarked on a ‘conversation tour’ of seats Labour lost or won narrowly as he attempts to learn the lessons of the general election defeat – and win over support from campaigners.
No challenger has yet emerged, although close Gordon Brown ally Ed Balls is among those expected to present an alternative for Labour activists.
The former schools secretary said Labour campaigners wanted a “proper debate” in the weeks and months to come, adding: “I’m talking to people but I’m not going to jump to any quick conclusions.”
Meanwhile stand-in leader Harriet Harman has emailed activists in a bid to rally them after their exit from government.
“It was always going to be an uphill struggle at this general election,” she admitted.
“But we should still acknowledge how we pushed back a Tory party that had been 20 points ahead in the polls and thought it was heading for a 30-seat majority just a few months ago.”
She said Labour would be a “responsible opposition” which would be “powerful and effective”.
Ms Harman pledged: “We will expose the cracks within the Tory/Lib Dem alliance.”
