It was opposing Brexit, not Jeremy Corbyn that lost Labour the election, says Ian Lavery Mr Lavery is among several Labour MPs considering standing in the contest to succeed Mr Corbyn

One of the architects of Labour’s historic election defeat has claimed the party’s attempt to “foist Remain” on working class communities was responsible for last month’s result.

Ian Lavery, the party chairman who was Labour’s general election campaign coordinator, denied it was Jeremy Corbyn’s policy platform that contributed to the losses.

Mr Lavery is among several Labour MPs considering standing in the contest to succeed Mr Corbyn.

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Ahead of nominations opening next week, speculation is mounting that Jess Phillips, one of the most widely recognised MPs among the general public, is about to announce her candidacy.

On Wednesday she tweeted: “I’ve woken up with an absolute cob on about the people who get to make decisions about our lives. 2020 starts with fire in my belly and I promise that won’t change #howbloodydarethey.”

‘Foisting Remain’

Writing in the Daily Mirror, Mr Lavery said criticism of Labour’s policies during the election, including wide-scale renationalisation and free broadband for everyone, was “ridiculous”, adding: “For some, that would be a neat conclusion allowing them to return to a bland centrism of 2015. But it isn’t true.

“Labour lost because of our Brexit position, infighting, a collapse of industry in our communities and a lack of trust in our ability to deliver. Talk of a second referendum was seen by many as a way to foist Remain upon them. Communities represented by Labour for generations felt abandoned.”

The former President of the National Union of Mineworkers added: “It is time to outline a positive vision of the future outside of the EU.”

Labour leadership race

Mr Lavery is yet to say whether he will stand to succeed Corbyn as party leader. Some have suggested that his posturing is part of a ‘stalking horse’ strategy to support left-wing favourite Rebecca Long-Bailey

Toby Perkins tweeted: “Don’t be fooled by this. It’s purely an attempt to convince us all that RLB is not a far left choice. He won’t really stand, she will.”

Even if Mr Lavery proves to have been a “stalking horse” contender to boost Ms Long-Bailey’s chances, the publicity of recent days has raised his profile within the demoralised party ahead of a bruising battle over Labour’s future direction.