Dudley Labour leadership hustings postponed as Keir Starmer cancels campaigning
A Labour leadership hustings which was due to take place in Dudley on Sunday has been postponed – after Keir Starmer cancelled all campaigning this weekend.
The Holborn and St Pancras MP has rescheduled all events and appearances as his mother-in-law remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The event was due to take place at Dudley Town Hall on Sunday – hosted by the Mirror newspaper– with Mr Starmer in attendance, but the newspaper and Labour chiefs decided to put the hustings on hold.
Discussions are now taking place to find an alternative date for the hustings, to allow Mr Starmer to take part.
Bosses also made the decision to postpone a deputy leadership hustings, which was set to take place at Dudley Town Hall on the same day.
Mr Starmer is among the favourites to take over from Jeremy Corbyn in April, in the contest against Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry.
A spokesman for Mr Starmer told the Mirror: “Since being admitted to hospital two weeks ago, Keir’s mother-in-law remains in a critical condition in intensive care.
“For this reason, he will be cancelling all campaign events this weekend and will be unable to attend hustings. We ask that his family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
A Labour Party spokesman added: "All our thoughts are with Keir and his family. We are working with the Mirror on an alternative date and will give priority to members who had already signed up."
