David Lammy rules himself out of race to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader

MP David Lammy has ruled himself out of the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader. 

The MP for Tottenham said he was “humbled” by suggestions that he could stand, but that the party “needs the candidate best placed to unite our party’s factions”.

He has not revealed who he will back as the new leader.

He wrote on Twitter: “I’m humbled by all who have encouraged me to stand for Labour leader. 

“After serious consideration, I’m ruling myself out. I’m committed to playing my full part in opposition, but we need the candidate best placed to unite our party’s factions so we can win the country’s trust.”

Sharing an article he wrote before Christmas on his vision for the Labour Party, he added that he wanted a “UK we can all take pride in”, based on a “new social contract that includes economic justice, a codified constitution and a proportional voting system”.

Mr Lammy’s announcement comes after MPs Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy announced they were standing in the leadership race.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has previously announced she is entering the contest , while shadow treasury minister Clive Lewis has also confirmed he will stand to replace Mr Corbyn in the upcoming race. 

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer – currently the favourite, according to a poll  – has said he is “seriously considering” throwing his hat into the ring .

Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, is also expected to declare her intentions to succeed Mr Corbyn . The latest poll shows she is currently second to Sir Kier in the poll at 39 per cent.

Party chairman Ian Lavery and veteran MP Yvette Cooper could also stand for the leadership. 

Outgoing leader Mr Corbyn said he would resign after a “period of reflection” following Labour’s worst general election performance since 1935 last month. 

 Corbyn allies are pushing for a leader in line with his left wing politics, while his critics hope to pull Labour back towards the centre.    

Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is due to meet on January 6 to decide on the timetable and general secretary Jennie Formby has said the election should start on January 7.