Chuka Umunna launches his bid for the Labour leadership

Chuka Umunna has launched his campaign for the Labour leadership with a video in Swindon, where the party was defeated by the Conservatives in both seats.

By Stephen Bush

North, South, East, West – Labour can and must win in 2020. – C

Posted by Chuka Umunna on Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Chuka Umunna has confirmed he will stand for the Labour leadership with a video posted on his Facebook page. Umunna will have a formal launch event at a later date, but has chosen to make his intentions clear while visiting Swindon, where Labour lost heavily to the Conservatives in both Swindon North and Swindon South.

David Cameron launched the Conservative manifesto in Swindon, and the decision to kick off his campaign in the town underlines Umunna’s focus on winning back seats from the Conservatives and securing a Labour majority in England. In the video, the shadow Business Secretary rebuffs the idea that it may take Labour a decade or more to recover from the 2015 defeat, insisting the turnaround can be completed in just five years.