Contenders for top job strive to be different

The battle to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader became a battle to appear different yesterday, as candidates sought to highlight what marks them out from their rivals.

Diane Abbott played on her position as the only black or female contender, saying the other hopefuls "could have run in the 1950s" while former Health Secretary Andy Burnham highlighted his Northern roots and "ordinary upbringing".

Veteran Left-winger John McDonnell reiterated his call for British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

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Their comments came as former Labour leader Lord Kinnock came out in support of Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband, while David Miliband enjoyed a massive lead among voters in a newspaper poll.

Along with former schools secretary Ed Balls, MP for Morley and Outwood, the four MPs are battling to be elected Labour leader in September.

A YouGov survey for The Sunday Times showed David Miliband has 23 per cent support among voters with Ms Abbott in second place on nine per cent, with Ed Miliband on eight per cent, Mr Balls six per cent, Mr Burnham four per cent, and Mr McDonnell two per cent.

Ms Abbott said the poll showed the public was taking her candidacy seriously.

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She said: "If you look at the candidates we have currently got, the front runners, they could have run in the 1950s. Labour in 2010, in the 21st century, needs to have a diverse range of candidates."

Mr Burnham told BBC 1's Andrew Marr Show: "My background is different. I come from a different part of the country and I hope that my ordinary upbringing means that people might be able to relate to me."