Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey who is tipped to be Jeremy Corbyn’s successor is dubbed ‘Wrong Daily’ by colleagues jealous of her growing influence in the party
- Long-Bailey was originally Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s protege
- But it has emerged the 39-year-old is now under Jeremy Corbyn’s wing
- She has risen rapidly since being elected and been dubbed ‘Wrong Daily’
- The MP is torn apart for her robotic interviews in defence of the Labour leader
By Brendan Carlin for The Mail on Sunday
Published: 21:13 EDT, 29 June 2019 | Updated: 03:31 EDT, 30 June 2019
Rebecca Long-Bailey was originally a protégé of Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell – but three months ago it emerged that she had also been ‘anointed’ by Jeremy Corbyn‘s inner circle as his successor.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that Corbynistas saw the 39-year-old Lancastrian – an MP for barely four years – as the best hope of carrying on his Left-wing mission should his health fail.
Within months of being elected as Salford MP in May 2015, she was on the frontbench as a Treasury spokesman, then served as Mr McDonnell’s deputy.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long-Bailey during a visit to Salford last month
Long-Bailey (left) shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman (centre) and Shadow chancellor John McDonnell – Long-Bailey has been considered his protege for a time
In 2017 she became Shadow Business Secretary – and was picked to form part of the party’s team to negotiate with the Government on Brexit.
But with growing influence came attacks from jealous, more experienced colleagues who cruelly dub her ‘Wrong Daily’.
The married mother-of-one has also been mercilessly mocked for robotic TV interviews in defence of Corbyn’s policies.
There was recent speculation Emily Thornberry had upset the top brass as Ms Long-Bailey was seen standing in for Mr Corbyn at PMQs earlier this month.
Mr McDonnell tenderly refers to her as ‘Becky’ and much of her stratospheric rise is put down to his backing.
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