By giving Jeremy Corbyn “10 out of 10” for his leadership of the Labour Party, Rebecca Long-Bailey declared herself as the “continuity candidate” in the race to become his successor.

Certainly the left of the Labour Party sees it that way. The MP for Salford and Eccles not only has the support of Mr Corbyn, who refers to her affectionately as “our Becky”, but also enjoys endorsements from other prominent left-wingers such as John McDonnell, Diane Abbott and Richard Burgon.

She is the choice of Momentum, the hard-left Labour grass roots organisation, and of many of the unions, including Unite, Aslef, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication Workers Union and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (though not Unison, which supports her rival Sir Keir Starmer).