THREAD: I spoke to friends, former colleagues and MPs for this long read on Rebecca Long Bailey
A leaked CV reveals that she only joined Labour and a trade union after the 2010 general election
Here's the story of her rapid and extraordinary rise
thetimes.co.uk/article/rise-a…
A leaked CV reveals that she only joined Labour and a trade union after the 2010 general election
Here's the story of her rapid and extraordinary rise
thetimes.co.uk/article/rise-a…
RLB was apparently so aware of her inexperience that in her selection interview she said she voted for Ed Miliband in 2010 leadership race
Paul Wilson, who chaired it, recalls: “She was asked, ‘Are you sure?' She said, ‘oh, I must be getting mixed up.’ She said she was confused”
Paul Wilson, who chaired it, recalls: “She was asked, ‘Are you sure?' She said, ‘oh, I must be getting mixed up.’ She said she was confused”
But Long Bailey - who was a solicitor living in Frodsham, Cheshire and involved in her local party - had cleverly aligned herself to Unite
At the time, McCluskey was aggressively backing his own candidates after feud with Miliband.
Unite threw the kitchen sink at her candidacy
At the time, McCluskey was aggressively backing his own candidates after feud with Miliband.
Unite threw the kitchen sink at her candidacy
Post industrial devastation in Manchester inspired her socialism from a young age
Ommitted from her CV is that she worked cold calling tenants telling them about Thatcher's Right to Buy
But ex colleague says even then she was lefty and corrected politically incorrectness
Ommitted from her CV is that she worked cold calling tenants telling them about Thatcher's Right to Buy
But ex colleague says even then she was lefty and corrected politically incorrectness
After several odd-jobs - sofa factory, bar, pawnbroker - she went to university and then studied to be a barrister
She then spent her 20s as a corporate lawyer - specialising in commercial property and NHS contracts
She says witnessing NHS decay inspired her to join Labour
She then spent her 20s as a corporate lawyer - specialising in commercial property and NHS contracts
She says witnessing NHS decay inspired her to join Labour
She called on the help of Bill Moore, an ex Unite official who had also moved from Salford to leafy Cheshire - saying she wanted to be an MP.
He put in a good word. She soon had the backing of the local machine. Phone banks, canvassers, key parts of the council
He put in a good word. She soon had the backing of the local machine. Phone banks, canvassers, key parts of the council
Salford council director of comms was even forced to resign after improperly backing her in his "non political" role
The rest is a history - and a story of fierce loyalty, commitment to Corbynism and a bit of luck too
The rest is a history - and a story of fierce loyalty, commitment to Corbynism and a bit of luck too
One NEC source said they couldn't think of any example where she hadn't backed Corbyn at Labour's top table
Last night she didnt deny voting against full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism - or for the "drive by" on Tom Watson
But she had voted against Unite on some trans issues
Last night she didnt deny voting against full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism - or for the "drive by" on Tom Watson
But she had voted against Unite on some trans issues
It's not all factional stuff. She pioneered the Green New Deal manifesto policy which proved popular with activists.
Question is - can she claw that demographic back now that Starmer is in the lead?
Read more in mine and @DavidCollinsST profile today
Question is - can she claw that demographic back now that Starmer is in the lead?
Read more in mine and @DavidCollinsST profile today
