Abbott enters leadership race
By politics.co.uk staff
Diane Abbott has startled the Labour party with the announcement that she will stand to become leader.
Her decision is the first major shake-up of a campaign that had been progressing in a predictable manner, with the Miliband brothers, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham also in contention.
Ms Abbott, who became the first black woman in parliament in 1987, is a much more leftist politician than any of the men standing against her.
She told the BBC her decision was “serious”.
The decision came on the same day as Andy Burnham announced his campaign in an article in the Daily Mirror.
The former health secretary said he wanted to end “stage-managed” politics.
Contenders now have until June 9th, rather than May 27th, to gain the required number of signatures for a bid, it was confirmed today.
