Labour leadership: Cruddas rules himself out
By Aled Thomas
Labour backbencher John Cruddas will not stand for the Labour leadership.
The Dagenham and Rainham MP, who enjoys considerable support from the trade unions, is the latest MP to rule himself out of a contest which so far has only seen the Miliband brothers throw their hats in the ring.
Although he intends to play a full part in the debate as to where his party goes now, Mr Cruddas wrote in the Guardian today: “Hand on heart I do not want to be leader of the Labour party or subsequently prime minister. These require certain qualities I do not possess.”
He added: “Since the election many people have urged me to stand for the leadership of the party. I have been humbled by the enthusiasm people have shown for my possible candidacy. I have given it serious thought.
“I do not feel that I am in a position to deliver on the hopes and expectations that will be placed in the next leader.”
In an oblique jibe at David and Ed Miliband, both ministers in the last government, Mr Cruddas noted that those who have announced their candidacies are now criticising the record of Gordon Brown’s administration and blaming its failures for the loss of the election.
Former energy and climate change minister Ed Balls is said to be considering a bid, but even he was reported to be willing to stand down to allow his wife, former secretary of state for work and pensions, Yvette Cooper to stand.
But she, interim leader Harriet Harman and former home secretary Alan Johnson have all decided not to put themselves forward.
Many figures in the Labour party said, as Gordon Brown resigned, that the party needs a wide variety of candidates and a full and open election.
As things stand now, the leadership of the party into the next election will be drawn from the narrowest base possible: one family.
Former health secretary Andy Burnham is also considering a bid for the leadership however.
