Dame Tessa Jowell pulls clear of Labour rivals in race to contest mayoral election

 
Leading the pack: Dame Tessa Jowell
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Dame Tessa Jowell has surged ahead in the race to be Labour’s candidate for Mayor after two rivals dropped out, a YouGov poll reveals today.

Thirty four per cent of party supporters now say the former culture secretary would be the best candidate.

The poll suggests Dame Tessa is pulling clear of her closest rival, shadow justice minister Sadiq Khan.

Diane Abbott MP — in third place — and Labour peer Doreen Lawrence both saw a sizeable boost compared with a similar poll in January.

Tanya Abraham of YouGov said: “Margaret Hodge ruling herself out of the mayoral race has been good news for the remaining female Labour candidates, especially Tessa Jowell who has moved into an even stronger position.

“Our poll also shows that Hodge’s plea for an ethnic minority leader may not have fallen on deaf ears, with Diane Abbott and Doreen Lawrence increasing their support. However, it still looks like Dame Tessa’s race to lose.”

In January, Dame Tessa had the backing of 26 per cent of people intending to vote Labour at the general election.

Since then, Ms Hodge and Andrew Adonis, have said they will not run, with Mr Adonis endorsing Dame Tessa. Ms Hodge signalled that she would not endorse her, and said: “The time is right for us to have a non-white Mayor.”

Ms Abbott, Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, and Baroness Lawrence each gained six points in the latest poll. Shadow London minister Mr Khan did not gain extra support.

Backing among Labour supporters for David Lammy dropped marginally, but there is now just six points between the Tottenham MP in fifth and Mr Khan in second. Dame Tessa also increased her lead among all Londoners, from 28 per cent last month to 32 per cent.

Mr Khan remained in second when taking account of all Londoners, with Ms Abbott third.

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