David Lammy calls for ‘civic nationalism’ to beat Boris Johnson as he hints at Labour leadership bid The backbench Tottenham MP has backed compulsory national service as he set out his leadership hopes

Labour MP David Lammy has given a strong indication that he could run for the party leadership.

The backbench Tottenham MP set out his stall in a column for The Observer, criticising Jeremy Corbyn for “failing to deal with the stain of anti-Semitism” and a policy on Brexit that “left Leavers thinking he was a Remainer and convinced Remainers he supported Leave.”

Mr Lammy wrote: “For Labour to win back what were once seen as our heartlands, we need to unite the country around a vision for the UK we can all take pride in.”

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He continued: “The alternative to Johnson’s ethnic nationalism that Labour should offer is a civic nationalism.

“Rather than basing national pride on biological heritage, skin colour or religion, civic nationalism says we can unite around shared values and institutions.

“To foster this, we need new spaces and places in which the UK’s diverse peoples can engage with each other and belong.”

Win back the country

Mr Lammy floated the ideas of major reforms – including a proportional voting system, universal basic income and compulsory “national civic service”, as well as “a citizens’ assembly to create a new British bill of rights and a codified constitution”.

He continued: “Labour will win back the country only if we show the public that we love the UK, too, and are positive about what we have achieved together, and optimistic about the inclusive, multicultural, dynamic society we want to build.

“The difference is that our national pride manifests itself in hope, rather than fear. While Johnson pulls the country back towards a nostalgic version of Little England, Labour must own the future of a reinvigorated UK.

“As for which Labour figure I believe is best-placed to lead this hopeful vision, I will consider that over Christmas.”

Leadership contenders

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow treasury minister Clive Lewis are the only candidates to have publicly launched leadership bids so far.

The preferred choice of Corbyn allies is thought to be shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is believed to have the backing of shadow education secretary Angela Rayner.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who appears to have started building a database to support a leadership bid, could seek to unite Remainers – while Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, one of 19 Labour MPs to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, is expected to put forward a left-wing pro-Brexit vision.

Meanwhile, Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Philips has emerged as a possible contender from the wing of the party that is hostile to Mr Corbyn’s leadership and seeks a return to the centre-ground.