Leeds MP Burgon slams media '˜soap opera'

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis denied a speech he made in London yesterday was an attempt at putting himself forward as a future candidate to run the party by offering alternative economic policy ideas.

Mr Jarvis, a former paratrooper, said the party must refocus its energy on representing working people. He said: “The public will frankly have very little sympathy for those within the Labour party who are focused on anything other than trying to secure a Labour win in May, and a referendum win in June. I can absolutely tell you that’s what 100 per cent of my focus will be on.”

And fellow Labour MP Richard Burgon, who represents Leeds East, said: “There’s a lot of talk in the media about who’s up and who’s down in the Labour Party. But the truth is, people aren’t really that interested in the ‘soap opera’ of Westminster politics.”

He welcomed Mr Jarvis’ input into a wider conversation about the future of the party, but said real party change can only be provided by Mr Corbyn.

He said: “The Westminster elite and media establishment are keen to pull Jeremy Corbyn down. That’s because Jeremy Corbyn’s positive agenda is for investment for long-term growth. That gives the forgotten majority the chance to beat the political establishment and secure a better future.”