This is an immensely challenging time for Labour to elect a new Leader, but it also gives us an opportunity to bring in a new team who can look afresh at the crisis the world faces, scrutinising the Government and putting forward constructive alternatives.
As Deputy Leader, I’ll play my part in the coming days to support Keir, my shadow cabinet colleagues and of course London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan, to ensure that the Government does the right thing; to save lives and protect livelihoods.
In a time of national crisis, it’s vital that any Party in Opposition does its bit - working with the Government where we can, and resisting political point scoring, while also asking questions and shining a light on shortcomings so that they can be overcome.
That means challenging Ministers when necessary, whether that be over delays in taking decisive action, the need to reach the promised level of 100,000 tests a day when there are currently just 10,000, or the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment for front line NHS staff.
As we take up our new roles, we will do everything we can to help our country get through this crisis.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
It is good that Keir Starmer started with an apology, but he was criticised for not speaking out more strongly on extremism. My organisation, Mainstream, has set tests against which his leadership will be judged. Sensible new policies are needed that show the party has ditched the extremism of the Corbyn years and it can be credible and mainstream again.
Ian Austin, former Labour MP
Editor's reply
Dear Angela
Congratulations. You talk about the role of opposition in challenging the Government right now. But the real job is to provide the country with a credible alternative at the next election. Often the two are in conflict.
I know from my own long spell as shadow chancellor that frustration at a lack of media interest, especially at times of crisis, can drive oppositions to be shrill and overly negative — and that undermines the core task of building that serious alternative.
Successful oppositions also reassemble the shattered coalitions within their own party. A real test of success will be whether you get the likes of once Labour loyalists like Ian Austin, who also writes above, back into the fold.
George Osborne, Editor
