Chuka Umunna emerges front-runner to become new Labour leader backed by Tony Blair

FORMER British prime minister Tony Blair has backed Nigerian-born member of parliament for Streatham Chuka Umunna to become the next leader of the Labour Party as the incumbent Ed Miliband looks set to resign after losing yesterday's general election.

 

In one of the most shocking general elections results ever, British prime minister David Cameron managed to return to office yesterday, significantly increasing his party's majority. Over the last five years, Mr Cameron's Conservative Party has had to govern in a coalition with the Liberal Democrat Party but now looks set to have an outright majority with around 329 seats.

 

This will give the Conservatives a majority of about six and with the Labour Party losing about 26 seats so far, Mr Miliband's position has become untenable. Already, several Labour Party frontbenchers are preparing their leadership campaigns, with Mr Umunna, Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary and Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary, the frontrunners to become the next leader.

 

Currently, the shadow business secretary, Mr Umunna has repeatedly refused to talk about his leadership ambitions and has been fiercely loyal to Mr Miliband. With a leadership contest now imminent, Mr Blair has described Mr Umunna as a natural heir to his New Labour legacy.

 

In the run-up to the elections, Mr Umunna was very outspoken on immigration in the face of the surge by the UK Independence Party, which had been exploiting xenophobic fears. Aged just 36, if he does succeed Mr Miliband, Mr Umunna will become the youngest Labour leader and head of the opposition either.

 

First elected into parliament 2010, Mr Umunna retained his Streatham seat yesterday with 26,474 votes, growing his majority to 13,934 from 3,259. Frequently labelled the British Obama, Mr Umunna has emerged significantly ahead of his potential rivals, in opinion polls conducted about who will be the next Labour leader.

 

"I think Ed's had a fantastic campaign and I'm really proud of the campaign he led. It's been an immense privilege and honour to be re-elected to do the job that I love doing for the community that I grew up in and I have never taken anybody's support for granted," Mr Umunna added.

 

Mr Umunna remained tight lipped about his future, instead emphasising his support for Mr Miliband and expressing his delight at how well the Labour Party did in his constituency.  It was a triple victory for Labour at the Brixton count, where Mr Umunna was declared winner as Kate Hoey was re-elected to her Vauxhall seat and Helen Hayes won Dulwich and West Norwood following the departure of Tessa Jowell.