A former Labour MP has named what she believes to be the dark horse in a possible leadership race while the Prime Minister grapples to hold onto his job amid the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Joining Camilla Tominey, Rosie Duffield, who left the Labour Party last year after she was “hounded” for her views on gender, exposed her real feelings towards her old colleagues – and their potential to boot Sir Keir Starmer out of No10.
Among the top names believed to be vying for the leadership is former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who resigned last September over her tax affairs.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also thought to be building his bid, as well as ex-leader Ed Miliband is believed to be licking his lips at the leadership role.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham appeared to be a fan-favourite until his bid to return to Westminster was cut short by Labour’s top brass when he was denied the chance to stand in an upcoming by-election.
Now, just as the scandal over Lord Mandelson’s relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is swallowing the party, MPs are explicitly calling for Sir Keir to go, including many of his own.
On GB News, Ms Duffield told Camilla: “It’s kind of looking desperate now, isn’t it? I mean, they’re on the very inner circle. People like Pat [McFadden], people like Peter Mandelson and people like Keir Starmer.
“Basically what Peter wanted, Peter got and he decided that Keir Starmer was going to be the next leader in the next prime minister.
Rosie Duffield joined GB News this morning to speak to Camilla Tominey
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GB NEWS
“All the money comes out, everyone starts getting that impression. Everyone votes for him.
“I didn’t vote for him to be leader. I didn’t see any leadership qualities and he’s proven that time and time again.
“And I think that’s the real story. They’re trying to cover it up by saying we didn’t quite get it right. But the truth is, no one else would have been considered for that job once Peter Mandelson made it clear that that was the job he wanted and expected to get.”
Ms Duffield added the “kingmaker always had a lot of power, a lot of well-connected friends and a lot of money”.
Sir Keir has been urged to step down amid the scandal
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PA
But now, with Sir Keir on the brink, eyes have landed on the potential candidates for No10, with Ms Rayner, Mr Streeting and Mr Miliband to believed to be leading the charge.
Allies of Ms Rayner and current Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy have spoken out, insisting both had advised the Prime Minister against appointing Lord Mandelson to be ambassador.
Discussing the PM, Ms Duffield aptly said: “He’s got to go. Most of us that were there before this election were not particularly enamoured of him, to be absolutely honest, and didn’t think he’d last the full term as Prime Minister anyway because his leadership just isn’t there.
“And as soon as the final, you know, the first nail in the coffin was the winter fuel allowance. And I think it was the final nail in the coffin as well.”
She added Labour insiders were “very nervous” and she had “never known Labour MPs so frightened of being suspended or losing the whip”.
But, giving her verdict on who she would like to see on the steps of Downing Street next, the MP told Camilla: “If you saw Andy Burnham leading this party, you’d know what we stood for again.”
But Ms Duffield also batted away the prospect of Ms Rayner becoming PM, adding: “I think that she’s very popular with Labour members and union backers, but not the public.
“I think her associations are also problematic. It’s factionalism within the Labour Party. Keir Starmer was meant to be this not factional person.
“She’s more of the kind of union left faction of the party, but also not left enough for some. And she hasn’t shown any of that left leadership under Keir Starmer.
“So it’s a bit confusing. And also the tax probe continues,” Ms Duffield added. “She isn’t in one of the families that’s got all the power, and I kind of like that about her.”
Meanwhile, she called Mr Streeting a “great politician” who listened to “all points of view”, although she expressed concern that Mr Streeting was tainted by the Peter Mandelson scandal having been a close associate with the peer in the past.
Asked if she believes there to be a “dark horse” waiting in the wings for Sir Keir to resign, the former Labour MP flirted with the possibility the “credible and serious” Bridget Phillipson could be one to watch.
Currently serving as Education Secretary, Ms Phillipson has previously run to be deputy leader, being beaten by rival Lucy Powell.
“Could also solve Labour’s woman problems,” Camilla quipped.