Labour leadership contest: Liz Kendall issues five pledges to show her values in line with party
Ms Kendall has been dogged by her label as the 'Blairite candidate' and even dubbed a 'Tory' by some Labour critics
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liz Kendall has sought to revive her campaign to become Labour leader by issuing five pledges that she says shows that her values are in line with those of the party.
Writing on The Independent’s website, she listed her five great causes as fighting to end inequality from birth; eliminate low pay; build a caring society; share power through devolution in a more federal UK and offer “a future of hope for young people.”
Ms Kendall has been dogged by her label as the “Blairite candidate” and even dubbed a “Tory” by some Labour critics. But she said: “I’m standing because I believe everyone should have the chance to fulfil their potential, no matter where you’re born, what your parents did, your gender, sexuality or the colour of your skin. I’ve spent this campaign setting out the causes that drew me into the Labour movement and which I’ll keep on fighting for."
Ms Kendall’s team insists the race is still wide open even though she trailed fourth when nominations from constituency parties, trade unions, MEPs and affiliated groups closed at the weekend. Jeremy Corbyn won 162; Yvette Cooper 121, Andy Burnham 118 and Ms Kendall 21. Local party nominations are based on the views of people at meetings and do not necessarily reflect how individual members will vote.
In her article, Ms Kendall said: “Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t have a monopoly on hope. And his solutions based on conventions of the past won’t help us win the national conversation in the years ahead. We must offer a realistic prospect of that new nation we wish to build, not the false hope of policies that are neither realistic nor electable.”
She added: “For too long, Labour has engaged in the politics of fear. We’ve talked – rightly - about the risks of a Tory government, but we’ve spent too little time talking about the hopeful alternative. Labour wins not when we are pessimistic about our future, but when we’re focussed on the open, confident – and better – country that we can build.”
Mr Burnham will pledge to reverse cuts in access to legal advice for the low paid when he issues his personal manifesto this week. He will commission a review of civil legal aid after £500m was cut from the budget, saying this has shifted the cost of social problems on to other public services. “I believe that is it the hallmark of a civilised society that everyone can access justice, defend their rights and receive help in navigating the legal system, regardless of their income,” he will say.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments