Rebecca Long-Bailey challenges rivals to commit to Corbyn's re-nationalisation plan in attack on 'rip off privatisers'

Shadow business secretary throws down to gauntlet to rivals as she wins endorsement of Fire Brigades Union

Rebecca Long-Bailey has challenged her leadership rivals to stay loyal to Jeremy Corbyn‘s commitment to nationalise key utilities with a vow to take on “rip off privatisers”.

In a rally for party faithful, the shadow business secretary pledged to retain a core promise from Labour‘s 2019 manifesto - a pledge to bring energy, water, rail and mail into public ownership.

Ms Long-Bailey, who is seen as the left-wing successor to Mr Corbyn, was expected to throw down the gauntlet to the other candidates on nationalisation, in an attempt to put clear red water between herself and her rivals.

Her opponents, shadow cabinet members Sir Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry, as well as Wigan MP Lisa Nandy have indicated they would take more limited approaches to nationalisation.

The call comes as the Salford and Eccles MP won the endorsement of the Fire Brigades Union for Labour’s top job, which guarantees her a place on the ballot paper when members elect Mr Corbyn’s successor in April.

Sir Keir and Ms Nandy have both made it to the final stage already after securing support from several trade unions, while Ms Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, is struggling to make up ground.

At a campaign event in Leeds on Wednesday, Ms Long-Bailey was expected to say: “I want to be clear that I am fully committed to the pledges in our manifesto last year for public ownership of energy, water, rail and mail.

“Other candidates say they agree with the transformative programme, but now I’m calling for specific, concrete commitments you can trust.

“Public ownership of key utilities is the foundation for a more fair and equal society, and any candidate for Labour leader should endorse them without hesitation.”

Polling by YouGov during the election campaign found promises to nationalise rail, water and energy were popular with the public but all of the candidates have since acknowledged that the manifesto was too cluttered and failed to convince the public.

Ms Long-Bailey has repeatedly rejected claims she is the “continuity Corbyn” candidate but her comments underline her loyalty to the Labour leader’s vision.

In her speech, she was due to say: “Public ownership of key utilities is not a ‘nice to have’. It’s fundamental to our transformation of the economy and people’s lives.

“Nobody voted Conservative because we pledged to bring the railways back into public hands, take on rip off energy companies and fix our broken water systems.

“Under my leadership Labour will stand up to the rip off privatisers, and bring wealth and power back into public hands.”

Matt Wrack, the FBU general secretary, praised Ms Long-Bailey's commitment to fighting climate change and said she was the only candidate to transform the country and win back the party's heartlands.

The union also endorsed Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, for the deputy role, which takes him onto the ballot paper with frontrunner Angela Rayner.

It comes as an internal report into Labour's worst election defeat since the Second World War absolved Mr Corbyn of responsibility and claimed Brexit played a “decisive role” in handing the Tories a majority.

The dossier, presented to Labour’s governing body the National Executive Committee (NEC), blamed “unrelenting” media attacks on the the character of the party leader for the negative result.

The results of the Labour leader and deputy leadership race will be announced on 4 April.