Moderate Labour leadership candidates fear Jeremy Corbyn’s allies will attempt to “stitch up” the contest in favour of a hard-left candidate. The National Executive Committee, the party’s ruling body, met today to decide the timetable and regulations for the race to succeed Mr Corbyn. However, ex-Tony Blair adviser John McTernan warned that there will be an attempt to “rig the rules” in favour of Rebecca Long-Bailey.

Speaking to talkRADIO’s Mike Graham, he said: “There will be an attempt to rig the rules at the Labour Party’s ruling National Executive Committee meeting today.

“That’s where they consider all the rules and regulations.

“But the thing about this is, in the end, there was an attempt to extend the number of people who could join when Owen Smith challenged Jeremy Corbyn.

“It was respected for 48 hours.”

He continued: “120,000 people joined but they all joined to vote for Jeremy.

“The thing is, you can’t fix the election of the leader if the party wants to change.

“If the younger members do want the chance for Labour government and the kind of things they want in terms of housing or student debt or pensions or whatever the concerns that they have.

“If they want a Labour Party that’s competitive, no amount of fixing the franchise will stop them choosing a leader who is electable.”

Mr McTernan added: “If they don’t want to win then no amount of pandering to them will convince them to vote, they’ll vote for Rebecca Long-Bailey if they want to be pure and in opposition perpetually.”

Ms Long-Bailey is seen as the “continuity Corbyn” candidate, and has been backed by John McDonnell.

Jess Phillips and Sir Keir Starmer are among the candidates attempting to attract as many moderates to the party as possible in an effort to broaden the base of their support.

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The contest for the new Labour leader will formally begin on Tuesday with the winner announced on 4 April, the party’s ruling body has decided.

Those who join the party or become affiliated supporters before 20 January will be eligible to vote.

Registered supporters – who are not full party members – will have 48 hours from 14-16 January to secure a vote by paying £25.

Five MPs have so far entered the running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.

In addition to Ms Phillips and Sir Keir, Clive Lewis, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry are all in contention.

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