The opportunity to choose the Leader of the Labour Party does not come around very often. When it does, it is a chance for the party to take a step back and re-evaluate ourselves, our policies, and the country as a whole. In order to allow the party members to fully engage with this process, there needs to be as wide a spectrum of candidates as possible.

The first stage of the leadership contest requires candidates to gain the nominations of 10% of MPs/MEPs by 14:30 on Monday 13th January. With four out of the six candidates now having enough nominations to move on to the next stage without any further backing, we are requesting that the remaining MPs/MEPs that have yet to nominate instead use their position to nominate Clive Lewis.

Clive has already opened up the debate and begun conversations that would not otherwise have happened by setting out a position that differentiates himself from other candidates. Many of the policies he has advocated for have a large backing from members of the party. Whilst it is unlikely that Clive would win the ballot, it is important for these ideas to be heard in the upcoming debates so that the other candidates can not continue to ignore them.

One of those policy positions is electoral reform. Polling shows that 76% Labour Party members back Proportional Representation*, and so it should at the very least form part of the debates. Some people question why Clive is setting this out as a priority instead of other areas such as the NHS or education - however the reality is that if we had a proportional voting system in this country, then Labour would now be almost certainly leading a minority government. We would then have been able to focus on delivering our other priorities instead of sitting in opposition; that is why it is important.

* Source: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-party-proportional-representation-corbyn-leader-polls-a9249196.html

If the only black candidate was to be blocked by MPs and MEPs from making it onto the ballot, then it would raise real questions about the mentality of the party. It has been suggested in some corners that the country is not ready for a black Prime Minister, to which we raise two counter points. Firstly, the minority who would vote on this basis are not likely to vote Labour anyway. But secondly, and more importantly, we as a party absolutely must not pander to the racists. We also note the difficulty that has been faced by BAME candidates Dawn Butler, Khalid Mahmood, and Rosena Allin-Khan in reaching the threshold for the deputy leadership ballot.

We are not asking you to endorse Clive Lewis, but simply acknowledge that if a party claims to be democratic then it should be for its members to decide who leads the party. If Clive is blocked by MPs from making the ballot and we are therefore unable to vote for our preferred candidate, then we would like for all Labour MPs to respond to the following queries:
- How can you reassure us that we should not feel disheartened, disillusioned and disenfranchised, and that we as members still have a role to play in the party?
- How can you reassure us that the policy positions Clive has raised are not swept under the carpet but continue to form part of the debate within the party and within parliament?
- How can you reassure us that Labour continues to be a party that is anti-racist and champions diversity?