Rules for Labour leadership race to be decide
The UK's main opposition Labour's ruling body is slated to meet on Monday to agree the timetable for the party's leadership race and the rules for the forthcoming contest. Labour's National Executive Committee, the party's governing body, will meet to determine how the contest will be conducted, the day before Parliament returns from its Christmas recess, reports the BBC. In order to qualify to take part, candidates need the support of at least 21 MPs, as well as the backing of 5 per cent of constituency parties or three affiliated bodies - two of which must be trade unions. The five official contenders that have entered the race are Indian-origin Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, Shadow First Secretary of State Emily Thornberry, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Economics Clive Lewis and Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Keir Starmer. During Monday's meeting, one of the key issues to be decided is the "cut-off&qu