Liz Kendall insists there would be no place for Jeremy Corbyn in her shadow cabinet if she becomes Labour leader

 
Leadership rivals: Labour's contenders, (left to right) Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham and Jeremy Corbyn
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Robin de Peyer19 July 2015
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Liz Kendall has insisted she would not include Jeremy Corbyn in her shadow cabinet despite her Labour leadership rival's increasing support among party members.

Shadow minister Ms Kendall said the opposition's top team would need to be "serious and credible", adding they would need to take on "very difficult issues" while also inspiring Labour supporters.

In contrast, Mr Corbyn said Ms Kendall "would be there" in his shadow cabinet, telling BBC1's Sunday Politics: "I'm sure Liz and I could find some common ground on some issues somewhere. We may not have the same economic direction."

Of the other leadership hopefuls, Andy Burnham told the same programme he "might be open to listening" if left-winger Mr Corbyn wanted a job, while Yvette Cooper said she did not want to "prejudge" the issue.

Mr Corbyn has defied his initial rank outsider status to replace Ed Miliband by securing the most nominations so far from constituency parties and reportedly topping some private opinion polls.

But asked if she would have Mr Corbyn in her shadow cabinet, Ms Kendall replied: "No."

Pressed to justify her stance, Ms Kendall said: "I believe you need to have a serious and credible shadow cabinet with people who are prepared to take on the very difficult issues we face as a party, as well as inspiring our supporters with a clear vision for the future.

"We've always been a broad church as a Labour Party but I think my politics comes from a very different place from Jeremy's and it wouldn't be right for him to be in my shadow cabinet."

Labour's Diane Abbott, who is a supporter of Mr Corbyn, said she did not believe the Islington North MP could win the leadership contest.

Asked if Mr Corbyn could win, she told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "No. These stories about where he comes first - no-one has seen such polls, that is a silly story.

"But he is doing very well and the reason Jeremy is doing very well is that the things Jeremy is talking about - peace abroad, social justice at home - are things that chime with Labour Party members.

The endorsements for the leadership contenders also continued, with Ms Kendall receiving the backing of former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling.

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