Misplaced Pages

2010 Labour Party leadership election

← 2007 16 August – 25 September 2010 (2010-08-16 – 2010-09-25) 2015 →
Turnout	127,330 (71.7%)
Candidate Ed Miliband David Miliband Ed Balls First round 34.3% 37.8% 11.8% Final round 50.7% 49.3% Eliminated   Candidate Andy Burnham Diane Abbott First round 8.7% 7.4% Final round Eliminated Eliminated
Leader before election Harriet Harman (interim) Gordon Brown Elected Leader Ed Miliband

The 2010 Labour Party leadership election was triggered on 10 May 2010 by incumbent leader Gordon Brown's resignation following the 2010 general election which resulted in a hung parliament; the first since 1974. Brown resigned as Leader of the Labour Party on 10 May and as Prime Minister on 11 May, following the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats forming a coalition government. The National Executive Committee decided the timetable for the election the result of which would be announced at the annual party conference. On 25 September 2010, Ed Miliband became the new Leader of the Labour Party, narrowly defeating his older brother, David Miliband.

Procedure

The rules of the Labour Party stated in 2010 that "each nomination must be supported by 12.5 per cent of the Commons members of the Parliamentary Labour Party." As the number of Labour MPs was 257 (the 258 returned at the general election minus Eric Illsley, who had been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party) 33 MPs were needed to support any nomination. Nominations opened on 24 May and closed on 27 May, but the deadline was extended to 9 June after complaints from John McDonnell, Diane Abbott, and Ed Miliband that the short deadline had provided insufficient time to secure the 33 nominations from MPs needed for inclusion on the ballot. The ballot took place between 1 and 22 September, and the results were announced on the first day of the party's conference in Manchester, 25 September. There were three distinct electorates, the electors of which cast their votes on a "one member, one vote" basis in each applicable category:

1. Labour members of the House of Commons and the European Parliament
2. Individual members of the party
3. Individual members of affiliated organisations, such as trade unions and socialist societies

Each of the three electorates or sections contributed one third (33.33 per cent) of the total votes and were counted using the alternative vote system system. The election was run by the National Executive Committee, and the results were announced at the annual conference in September 2010.

Union recommendation controversy

Under Labour Party rules, trade unions were allowed to make recommendations to their members, but were barred from doing this in the same envelope that contained the ballot paper. During the election, it emerged that both the GMB and Unite had included both an envelope containing the ballot paper, and an envelope containing promotional material for Ed Miliband, their favoured candidate, in the same communication. Though the promotional material was in a different envelope from the ballot paper, this nevertheless attracted criticism that they had breached the spirit of the rules.

Candidates

At a meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 May 2010, it was agreed that no one would announce their candidacy until after formal negotiations in regards to forming a government were resolved. The Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition on 11 May, and David Miliband became the first person to announce his candidacy the following day. A total of six candidates emerged by 20 May:

• Diane Abbott, announced 20 May
• Ed Balls, announced 19 May
• Andy Burnham, announced 20 May
• John McDonnell, announced 18 May; withdrew 9 June
• David Miliband, announced 12 May
• Ed Miliband, announced 14 May

On 9 June John McDonnell withdrew from the contest in favour of Diane Abbott, who eventually made the ballot paper.

Nominations

Candidates must receive nominations from at least 12.5 per cent of the 257 Parliamentary Labour Party members (33) to appear on the ballot. John McDonnell had 16 nominations when he withdrew on 9 June, in favour of Diane Abbott. The final nominations figures were as follows:

The number of MPs next to the candidate's name below includes the actual candidate too, as they counted as one of the 33 MPs needed (except for David Miliband, as he nominated Diane Abbott to ensure her appearance on the ballot). Public nominations for candidates by MPs were as follows:

• David Miliband (81): Bob Ainsworth, Douglas Alexander, Willie Bain, Gordon Banks, Hugh Bayley, Stuart Bell, Ben Bradshaw, Russell Brown, Richard Burden, Liam Byrne, David Cairns, Alan Campbell, Jenny Chapman, Ann Clwyd, Ann Coffey, Rosie Cooper, Mary Creagh, Stella Creasy, Alex Cunningham, Simon Danczuk, Alistair Darling, Gloria De Piero, Brian Donohoe, Gemma Doyle, Angela Eagle, Julie Elliott, Louise Ellman, Chris Evans, Jim Fitzpatrick, Caroline Flint, Paul Flynn, Mike Gapes, Barry Gardiner, Pat Glass, Mary Glindon, Fabian Hamilton, David Hanson, Tom Harris, Mark Hendrick, Margaret Hodge, George Howarth, Tristram Hunt, Alan Johnson, Tessa Jowell, Gerald Kaufman, Liz Kendall, Ivan Lewis, Michael McCann, Gregg McClymont, Siobhain McDonagh, Pat McFadden, Anne McGuire, Ian Mearns, Alun Michael, Jessica Morden, Meg Munn, Jim Murphy, Ian Murray, Pamela Nash, Fiona O'Donnell, Toby Perkins, Bridget Phillipson, Yasmin Qureshi, Nick Raynsford, Jamie Reed, Jonathan Reynolds, Frank Roy, Chris Ruane, Anas Sarwar, Virendra Sharma, Barry Sheerman, Angela Smith, Nick Smith, Peter Soulsby, Graham Stringer, Mark Tami, Gareth Thomas, Valerie Vaz, Phil Wilson, John Woodcock, Shaun Woodward
• Ed Miliband (63): Adrian Bailey, Margaret Beckett, Anne Begg, Hilary Benn, Luciana Berger, Roberta Blackman-Woods, Paul Blomfield, Karen Buck, Margaret Curran, Wayne David, Geraint Davies, John Denham, Frank Dobson, Jack Dromey, Maria Eagle, Clive Efford, Natascha Engel, Bill Esterson, Frank Field, Hywel Francis, Helen Goodman, Tom Greatrex, Lilian Greenwood, Peter Hain, David Hamilton, Jimmy Hood, Graham Jones, Susan Jones, Sadiq Khan, Ian Lavery, Mark Lazarowicz, Andy Love, Ian Lucas, Shabana Mahmood, John Mann, Gordon Marsden, Jim McGovern, Ann McKechin, Catherine McKinnell, Michael Meacher, Alan Meale, Madeleine Moon, Grahame Morris, Paul Murphy, Lisa Nandy, Sandra Osborne, Albert Owen, Stephen Pound, Rachel Reeves, Emma Reynolds, Lindsay Roy, Joan Ruddock, Alison Seabeck, Jim Sheridan, Andy Slaughter, Owen Smith, Emily Thornberry, Stephen Timms, Chuka Umunna, Alan Whitehead, Christopher Williamson, Rosie Winterton
• Ed Balls (33): David Anderson, Ian Austin, Tom Blenkinsop, Kevin Brennan, Lyn Brown, Vernon Coaker, Yvette Cooper, David Crausby, Jim Cunningham, Jim Dobbin, Mike Dugher, Andrew Gwynne, John Healey, Stephen Hepburn, Sharon Hodgson, Diana Johnson, Helen Jones, Eric Joyce, Barbara Keeley, Chris Leslie, Khalid Mahmood, Steve McCabe, Kerry McCarthy, Teresa Pearce, John Robertson, Geoffrey Robinson, Marsha Singh, Andrew Smith, John Spellar, Tom Watson, David Wright, Iain Wright
• Andy Burnham (33): Heidi Alexander, Kevin Barron, Joe Benton, Clive Betts, Hazel Blears, David Blunkett, Tom Clarke, Michael Connarty, Nic Dakin, Thomas Docherty, Frank Doran, Paul Farrelly, Rob Flello, Yvonne Fovargue, Paul Goggins, Kate Green, Julie Hilling, Lindsay Hoyle, Huw Irranca-Davies, Cathy Jamieson, Kevan Jones, Alan Keen, Alison McGovern, Andrew Miller, Austin Mitchell, Steve Rotheram, Gerry Sutcliffe, Karl Turner, Derek Twigg, Joan Walley, Dave Watts, Malcolm Wicks
• Diane Abbott (33): Rushanara Ali, Chris Bryant, Ronnie Campbell, Katy Clark, Jeremy Corbyn, Jon Cruddas, John Cryer, Ian Davidson, Sheila Gilmore, Nia Griffith, Harriet Harman, Meg Hillier, Kate Hoey, Kelvin Hopkins, Sian James, David Lammy, Tony Lloyd, Denis MacShane, Fiona MacTaggart, John McDonnell, George Mudie, Chi Onwurah, Linda Riordan, Gavin Shuker, Dennis Skinner, Jack Straw, Jon Trickett, Stephen Twigg, Keith Vaz, Mike Wood, Phil Woolas

Before dropping out of the race on 9 June 2010, John McDonnell had the following 16 nominations: Ronnie Campbell, Martin Caton, Katy Clark, Jeremy Corbyn, John Cryer, Ian Davidson, Jim Dowd, Frank Field, Dai Havard, Kate Hoey, Ian Lavery, Graeme Morrice, Linda Riordan, Dennis Skinner, Mike Wood

Notable Labour politicians who declined to stand

Some members of parliament were seen as potential candidates but decided against running:

• Hazel Blears – former Communities and Local Government Secretary; supported Andy Burnham
• Yvette Cooper – former Work and Pensions Secretary; supported her husband Ed Balls
• Jon Cruddas – backbencher who stood for Deputy Leader in 2007; he nominated Diane Abbott and supported David Miliband
• Alistair Darling – former Chancellor of the Exchequer; supported David Miliband
• Peter Hain – former Wales Secretary, previously Northern Ireland and Work and Pensions Secretary; supported Ed Miliband
• Harriet Harman – acting leader following Gordon Brown's departure, former Leader of the House of Commons; neutral but nominated Diane Abbott
• Alan Johnson – former Home Secretary, previously Health Secretary and Education Secretary; supported David Miliband
• Jack Straw – former Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, previously Foreign and Home Secretary; nominated Diane Abbott and supported David Miliband

Televised debates

Opinion polling

Results

Each of the three electorates or sections contributed one third (33.33 per cent) of the total votes and were counted using the Alternative Vote system system.

Overall result

First round

Candidate		MPs/MEPs (33.3%)		Labour Party members (33.3%)		Affiliated members (33.3%)		Overall result
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	%
	David Miliband	111	41.7	55,905	44.1	58,189	27.5	37.8
	Ed Miliband	84	31.6	37,980	29.9	87,585	41.5	34.3
	Ed Balls	40	15.0	12,831	10.1	21,618	10.2	11.8
	Andy Burnham	24	9.0	10,844	8.5	17,904	8.5	8.7
	Diane Abbott N	7	2.6	9,314	7.3	25,938	12.3	7.4

The combined total of first-round votes for Balls, Burnham, and Abbott (27.89%) was less than Ed Miliband's vote (34.33%). Thus, it was certain after the first round that Balls, Burnham, and Abbott would all be eliminated.

Second round

Candidate		MPs/MEPs (33.3%)		Labour Party members (33.3%)		Affiliated members (33.3%)		Overall result
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	%
	David Miliband	111	42.0	57,128	45.2	61,336	29.4	38.9
	Ed Miliband	88	33.3	42,176	33.4	95,335	45.7	37.5
	Ed Balls	41	15.5	14,510	11.5	26,441	12.7	13.2
	Andy Burnham N	24	9.1	12,498	9.9	25,528	12.2	10.4

Third round

Candidate		MPs/MEPs (33.3%)		Labour Party members (33.3%)		Affiliated members (33.3%)		Overall result
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	%
	David Miliband	125	47.3	60,375	48.2	66,889	32.6	42.7
	Ed Miliband	96	36.4	46,697	37.3	102,882	50.1	41.3
	Ed Balls N	43	16.3	18,114	14.5	35,512	17.3	16.0

Fourth round

Candidate		MPs/MEPs (33.3%)		Labour Party members (33.3%)		Affiliated members (33.3%)		Overall result
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	%
	Ed Miliband Y	122	46.6	55,992	45.6	119,405	59.8	50.7
	David Miliband	140	53.4	66,814	54.4	80,266	40.2	49.3

Turnout in the members section was 71.7%, with 127,330 votes cast of the 177,558 ballots distributed. Amongst affiliated members, turnout was 9.0%, whilst amongst MPs/MEPs turnout was 98.5%.

Labour MPs and MEPs

Constituency Labour Parties

The map below shows the results of the Constituency Labour Parties first round preferences in the leadership election by constituency, before votes were transferred due to eliminations. David Miliband took the most constituencies, winning 577 in total. He was followed by Ed Miliband who took sixty-seven constituencies. Andy Burnham won eight seats, all in north-west England, Ed Balls took two constituencies (his own, Morley & Outwood, and that of his wife, Yvette Cooper, Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford), and Diane Abbott won no constituencies. All ties with the exception of Wigan (Burnham and David Miliband) were between David and Ed Miliband. Northern Ireland was counted as one constituency.

Trade Unions and Socialist Societies

Turnout in the affiliates section was 9.0%, with 247,339 votes cast of the 2,747,030 ballots distributed.

See also

• 2007 Labour Party leadership election (UK)
• 2007 Labour Party deputy leadership election
• Labour Party Rule Book

Notes

1. Labour Party members, MPs, MEPs, members of Socialist Societies and members of affiliated Trade Unions.
2. Members of Socialist Societies and Trade Unions that are affiliated to the Labour Party.
3. Labour Party members, MPs, MEPs, members of Socialist Societies and members of affiliated Trade Unions.
4. Members of Socialist Societies and Trade Unions that are affiliated to the Labour Party.

References

1. "Gordon Brown 'stepping down as Labour leader'". BBC News. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
2. ^ "PLP nominations period for Leadership Election to close on 9 June". Labour Party. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
3. ^ "New Labour leader to be elected at September conference". BBC News. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
4. "Ed Miliband is elected leader of the Labour Party". BBC News. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
5. ^ Chris Lennie, ed. (2008). "4" (PDF). The Labour Party Rule Book 2008. The Labour Party. pp. 24–25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
6. "Election 2010". BBC News. 7 May 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
7. "Labour MP charged over expenses". BBC News. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
8. "Labour's NEC agrees timetable for the election of next Leader of the Labour Party". Labour Party. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
9. "Labour extends leadership race deadline". BBC News. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
10. ^ "Leadership elections: Labour party". Kelly, R., Lester, P., & Durkin, M. (2010). House of Commons Library Note, 6, pg. 12. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
11. Ed Miliband union backers accused over Labour ballot mail-out Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian 24 September 2010.
12. Unite union 'ignored rules in endorsing Ed Miliband' Archived 19 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Independent 10 September 2010
13. Curtis, Polly (10 May 2010). "David Miliband and Ed Balls set to launch Labour leadership bids". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
14. "Diane Abbott enters Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
15. "Ed Balls announces he will stand for Labour leader". BBC News. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
16. "Andy Burnham enters Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
17. "Labour leadership race discredited, says MP McDonnell". BBC News. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
18. ^ Hélène Mulholland and Allegra Stratton (9 June 2010). "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race in favour of Diane Abbott". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
19. Allegra Stratton, political correspondent (12 May 2010). "David Miliband announces Labour leadership bid". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
20. "Ed Miliband to take on brother David in leader battle". BBC News. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
21. Woodcock, Andrew (9 June 2010). "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
22. Mulholland, Helene (9 June 2010). "Diane Abbott makes it on to Labour leadership ballot". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
23. "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race". BBC News. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
24. "Diane Abbott Joins 'Open' Labour Leader Race". Sky News. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
25. "Labour Leadership Election 2010 - Information & Candidates - The Labour Party". 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
26. Eaton, George (25 May 2010). "Labour leadership: who's nominated who". Newstatesman.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
27. "Whelan and Blears on Labour leadership". BBC News. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
28. ^ "Labour leadership contest: Runners and riders". BBC News. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
29. "2010 Labour leadership election-Ed Balls". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
30. "Jon Cruddas backs Diane Abbott for Labour leader". International Business Times. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
31. Cowley, Jason (25 August 2010). "Exclusive: Jon Cruddas endorses David Miliband". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
32. Stratton, Allegra (1 June 2010). "David Miliband wins backing of Alistair Darling in Labour leadership race". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
33. Wintour, Patrick (1 June 2010). "Alistair Darling backs David Miliband for Labour leadership". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
34. ^ Evans, Judith (17 May 2010). "David Miliband hails 'next Labour' as he opens leadership bid". Times Online. London. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
35. Woodcock, Andrew (8 June 2010). "Harriet Harman nominates Diane Abbott for Labour leadership". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
36. "Alan Johnson backs David Miliband for Labour leadership". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
37. "2010 Labour leadership election-Diane Abbott". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
38. Smith, Lewis (12 August 2010). "Straw backs Miliband in leadership race". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
39. YouGov survey Archived 24 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine YouGov, 29 July 2010
40. Neck and neck Archived 15 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine YouGov, 13 September 2010
41. ^ "LABOUR PARTY LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS 1922-2016". Tom Quinn, Senior Lecturer in Government, University of Essex. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
42. ^ "Votes by CLP". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010.
43. "Votes by MPs and MEPs". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011.
44. "Votes by Affiliated Members". Labour Party. 13 September 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.

External links

News

• Factbox – Rules governing Labour leadership elections Reuters, 10 May 2010
• Labour party leadership The Guardian

Party websites

• Labour Party
• Labour Party Rule Book 2008 (PDF)

Candidates' leadership campaign websites

• Diane Abbott: Diane 4 Leader – Turn the page, change the party
• Andy Burnham – Re-connecting Labour
• Ed Balls for Labour Leader
• David Miliband – Bringing Labour together leading Labour to power Archived 17 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
• Ed Miliband for Labour Leader

v t e 2010 United Kingdom party leadership elections
Green Party of England and Wales Labour Liberal Democrats deputy UKIP Ulster Unionist

v t e Ed Miliband
Leader of the Labour Party (2010–2015) Leader of the Opposition (2010–2015) Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (2024–present) MP for Doncaster North (2005–present)
Politics	Leadership One Nation Labour Predistribution Shadow Cabinet frontbench
General elections	2015
Party elections	2010 leadership election 2010 Shadow Cabinet election
Local elections	2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
European elections	2014
Family	David Miliband (brother) Ralph Miliband (father) Marion Kozak (mother) Justine Thornton (wife)
In the media	Miliband of Brothers Bacon sandwich photograph EdStone #Milifandom
Category

• 2010 elections in the United Kingdom
• Labour Party (UK) leadership elections
• Gordon Brown
• Ed Miliband
• Andy Burnham
• Ed Balls
• 2010 political party leadership elections