LABOUR leadership rivals are locked in a bizarre bidding war over who has the most working-class background.
Would-be candidates have been accused of hyping up their humble beginnings in a bid to appeal to grass-roots members.
Labour leadership rivals, hoping to replace Corbyn, are locked in a bizarre bidding war over who has the most working-class background
But the stark truth is that most of them are from middle-class stock or are firmly part of the London metropolitan elite.
One MP remarked: Its been quite amusing, if not a little nauseating, to hear them talking about how tough life was when they were a kid or the humdrum jobs of their parents and grandparents.
Its almost become a bidding war, with them trying to out-do each other over who had the toughest start in life.
Im half expecting one of them to say Thats nothing. I used to live in a cave.
Rebecca Long Bailey
Rebecca claims her outlook was shaped by watching her dad worry about losing his job at Salford docks … the docks closed when she was two
Likes to say: Her outlook was shaped by watching her dad worry about losing his job at Salford docks.
Reality: Long Bailey was just two when the docks closed in 1982.
Emily Thornberry
Likes to say: Relied on free school meals after her parents divorced and she had to leave family home with mum and two brothers.
Reality: She is entitled to call herself Lady Nugee because she is married to Sir Christopher Nugee, a High Court judge.
Keir Starmer
Kier became a barrister in 1987, became Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008 and was knighted in 2014
Likes to say: His father was a toolmaker. Prefers not to be called Sir.
Reality: He became a barrister in 1987, became Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008 and was knighted in 2014. His wife is a solicitor.
Clive Lewis
Clive grew up on a council estate in Northampton, the son of a single father, and was the first member of his family to attend university
Likes to say: I dont want to manage the labour movement, I want to unleash it.
Reality: Grew up on a council estate in Northampton, the son of a single father. First member of his family to attend university.
