Chuka Ummuna sparked outrage on social media after openly backing Liz Kendall in the Labour leadership contest, having himself quit the race earlier this month. Critics have branded him “cowardly.”
The former Labour leadership favorite announced his bid to run earlier this month but withdrew days later after experiencing “unexpected” media scrutiny.
Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has announced that he is running for leader of the #Labour party
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) May 12, 2015
Chuka Umunna withdraws from UK Labour party's leadership contest http://t.co/zUFCSO4aZKpic.twitter.com/7m6Nog2pco
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) May 15, 2015
On Tuesday, Shadow Business Secretary Umunna told the New Statesman that Kendall is the only candidate who can take Labour “out of its comfort zone.”
Kendall was the first candidate to openly declare her interest in becoming the new Labour leader after Ed Miliband resigned following the party’s humiliating election defeat.
Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Mary Creagh are also standing.
Who's endorsing whom in the Labour leadership? Map by @election_datahttp://t.co/7wTOOJ0vnIpic.twitter.com/Yg28xMjv6s
— The Staggers (@TheStaggers) May 26, 2015
Umunna praised Kendall for her courage in “challenging conventional wisdom” adding it is essential that the next leader “must get this vision right.”
“She has no compunction in moving Labour beyond our comfort zone and is determined to build a team ready to chart a route forward,” he told the magazine.
Breaking: @ChukaUmunna, @StephenTwigg, @EmmaReynoldsMP & @jreynoldsMP endorse @LizforLeader: http://t.co/QLcpqkDXyMpic.twitter.com/5By69wRHMY
— The Staggers (@TheStaggers) May 26, 2015
Not only did Kendall receive backing from Umunna, she also won support from the rest of his team, Emma Reynolds, Jonathon Reynolds and Stephen Twigg.
“The party must move beyond its comfort zone and find new ways of realizing its age-old goals of equality and freedom,” Umunna added.
‘He’s the last person we’ll listen to’
After the full statement was released on Twitter, Umunna became a trending topic. Many accused him of being a “hypocrite” who has “no credibility” in endorsing another Labour leader after withdrawing his bid.
One Twitter user said he has “no right to intervene” after his “cowardly actions.”
“Of course Chuka Umunna is backing Liz Kendall. Rightwingerds of a conservateather flock torygether,” another user said.
Wow. Chuka Umunna and his entire team back Liz Kendall. Massive news.
— Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) May 26, 2015
Of course Chuka Umunna is backing Liz Kendall. Rightwingerds of a conservateather flock torygether.
— Caspar Salmon (@CasparSalmon) May 26, 2015
Journalist and author Will Black said “Chuka Umunna is wrong” as the chances would be slimmer for Labour winning another election with Kendall at the helm.
“She’s David Cameron in a dress, nobody needs that,” Black said on Twitter.
“Not sure that Chuka Umuna, who threw his hat in the ring and then ran away, has much credibility in choosing the Labour leader,” Black said in another tweeted.
Chuka Umunna is wrong. Labour isn't going to win an election with Liz Kendall. She's David Cameron in a dress. Nobody needs that.
— Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) May 26, 2015
Not sure that Chuka Umunna, who threw his hat in the ring and then ran away, has much credibility in choosing the Labour leader
— Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) May 26, 2015
Liz Kendall and Chuka Umunna are everything that's wrong with Labour. If I wanted right-wing policies I'd join the Tories. Blairism is dead.
— Brett Thomas (@brett_thomas) May 26, 2015
Another user said Kendall and Umunna are “everything that’s wrong with Labour.”
“If I wanted right-wing policies I’d join the Tories.”
Chuka Umunna backs Liz Kendall? Color me unsurprised: two tedious Tory turncoats in a pod.
— Tom Delargy (@derekrootboy) May 26, 2015
I was wondering if Liz Kendall was the worst choice for the Labour leader's job. Chuka Umunna's backing has confirmed it.
— Pete Sinclair (@pete_sinclair) May 26, 2015
So Chuka Umunna backs Liz Kendall .......so what....don't tell me she's any worse than anybody else and about time Labour had a woman leader
— Bob Stone (@Plantagenet2) May 26, 2015
The likes of Liz Kendall Umunna and other Blairites are wrecking everthing the @UKLabour party should stand for! https://t.co/eKfgKbOzMm
— Ben Howey (@BenYaminHowey) May 22, 2015
Chuka Umunna is an evil coward has nothing to offer other than deceiving hemself
— nicklong (@nicklong201) March 17, 2015
@SkyNews Chuka Umunna has probably just waved goodbye to a position in Andy Burnham's shadow cabinet...
— Nigel Tanner-Pryce (@TannerPryce) May 26, 2015
“Chuka Umunna backs Liz Kendall? Color me unsurprised: two tedious Tory turncoats in a pod,” another user said.
One user branded Umunna as a “coward” adding he “has no right to comment on leadership, he’s the last person we’ll listen to.”
However another user was supportive of Umunna’s endorsement for Kendall. “Don’t tell me she’s any worse than anybody else and about time Labour had a woman leader,” she said.
“Chuka Umunna has probably just waved goodbye to a position in Andy Burnham’s shadow cabinet,” another user said.
Chuka Umunna will also be endorsing a deputy leadership candidate in the coming days, I'm told.
— George Eaton (@georgeeaton) May 26, 2015
The New Statesman’s political editor George Eaton said he was told Umunna “will also be endorsing a deputy leadership candidate in the coming days.”