Shamelessly copy-and-pasted from the Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/who-will-be-the-next-labour-leader-if-ed-miliband-resigns-after-disastrous-election-10234692.htmlAfter a disastrous night for Labour across the country, Ed Miliband looks almost certain to resign as leader later this morning. But who are his possible replacements?
Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham is the bookies favourite, with odds of 5/2 to take the helm. His flagship policy of handing billions of pounds from NHS funds to local councils was reportedly vetoed by Ed Miliband, expect to see this idea revived if he becomes leader. But the shadow health secretary dismissed the idea of assuming the top position last night, when asked by journalists.
Yvette Cooper
Long seen as a favourite for the leadership, Yvette Cooper would be the first female leader of the party, should she be elected. The shadow home secretary and wife of shadow chancellor Ed Balls is a formidable politician. When asked if she saw herself as a future leader, she dodged the question and said: “I really don't think we should be talking about this. We have just had an election and we've got a lot more election results to come.”
Chuka Umunna
Despite only being elected in 2010, Chuka Umunna, who represents the London seat of Streatham, is another leadership hopeful. The shadow business secretary is said to have the backing of Tony Blair and apparently names the Tory Michael Heseltine as a political hero.
Dan Jarvis
The Barnsley Central MP recently had his odds of succeeding Ed Miliband slashed Dan Jarvis, the relatively unknown MP for Barnsley Central since a by-election in 2011, is currently the shadow justice minister, but is said to have leadership ambitions. The ex-Special Forces MP is seen as the New Labour option. Bookmakers put his odds of winning the contest at 5/1.
Tristram Hunt
Tristram Hunt, who is seen as one half of the new Blair and Brown partnership along with Chuka Ummuna, is a possible contender for the leadership. The shadow education secretary was parachuted into the safe seat of Stoke-on-Trent in 2010. Critics have accused the politician, who is the son of a peer, of waging a class war on private schools.
Liz Kendall
Liz Kendall is another comparatively unknown MP, who is a strong contender for the leadership. The MP for Leicester West is seen as a Blairite, who believes in choice for patients in the NHS and that private providers should be allowed to work within the health sector.
