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Labour's Long Bailey sets out stall to replace Corbyn and fight for a socialist Britain

LABOUR MP Rebecca Long Bailey has called to overturn Britain’s “broken political system” and to fight for a socialist Britain, as she signals her intention to stand for Labour leader.

The shadow business secretary set out her stall in the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn, who said he will resign following the December 12 general election defeat.

Writing in the Guardian, the Salford and Eccles MP said that Labour’s defeat was related to the party’s “compromise solution” on Brexit, which satisfied “too few.”

She also defended the socialist economic policies that Labour stood on, saying that “we didn’t lose because of our commitment to scrap universal credit, invest in public services or abolish tuition fees.”

She said that Labour should champion a “progressive patriotism”, saying: “From ex-miners in Blyth Valley to migrant cleaners in Brixton, from small businesses in Stoke-on-Trent to the self-employed in Salford, we have to unite our communities.

“Britain has a long history of patriotism rooted in working life, built upon unity and pride in the common interests and shared life of everyone.

“To win we must revive this progressive patriotism and solidarity in a form fit for modern Britain.”

Ms Long Bailey also defended Labour’s members as “crucial” to rebuilding Labour’s electoral strength, and said that “our promise to democratise society will ring hollow if we can’t even democratise our own party.”

She concluded that Labour must “upend the broken political system that has held back our communities for decades.

“Real wealth and power must be returned to the people of Britain, and their desire for control over their own lives and the future of their communities must be at the heart of our agenda.”

Ms Long Bailey, who has been a close ally of Mr Corbyn, is tipped to gain wide support from trade unions and Momentum.

Her rivals are expected to include Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir Starmer, while Clive Lewis, Emily Thornberry, David Lammy and Ian Lavery have also hinted at an interest in standing.

The timetable for the election is yet to be announced, but it is expected to begin in early January and continue until mid-March.

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