Sir Keir Starmer wins Labour leadership race with clear majority

New Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, left, and outgoing shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

The human rights lawyer – who was named after the party’s first Parliamentary leader Keir Hardie – was named this morning, Saturday, April 4, after securing more than 56% of the votes in the first round.

Party members, members of affiliated trades unions and groups, and 14,700 "registered supporters", who paid £25 to take part on a one-off basis, were all eligible to vote.

Sir Keir won 275,780 votes out of 490,731 returned votes in total, equivalent to 56.2%, more votes then Jeremy Corbyn, though a slightly smaller share of the vote.Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy won 135,218 votes (27.6%) and 79,597 (16.2%) respectively.

Angela Rayner won the third round of the deputy leadership contest with 228,944 votes, 52.6%.

Rosena Allin-Khan came second with 113,858 (26.1%) while Richard Burgon was third with 92,643 votes (21.3%).

Dawn Butler was eliminated in the first round with 50,255 votes, and Ian Murray in the second round with 64,560 votes.

Sir Keir said his election "comes at a moment like none other in our lifetime" as the Covid-19 outbreak has "brought normal life to a halt" but brought communities together.

He said: "I can see this happening, people coming together to help the isolated and the vulnerable, checking on their neighbours.

"So many volunteering for the NHS, millions of people doing their bit to stop this virus and to save lives."

He paid tribute to outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn and said he would work to stamp out anti-Semitism in the party: "I want to pay tribute to Jeremy Corbyn, who led our party through some really difficult times, who energised our movement and who's a friend as well as a colleague.

"And to all of our members, supporters and affiliates I say this - whether you voted for me or not I will represent you, I will listen to you and I will bring our party together.

"But we have to face the future with honesty.

"Anti-Semitism has been a stain on our party. I have seen the grief that it's brought to so many Jewish communities. On behalf of the Labour Party, I am sorry.”