Shelagh Puts Chuka On The Spot Over Leadership Drop Out
21 September 2016, 15:39
A passionate Chuka Umunna spoke to Shelagh Fogarty about Labour's leadership election - she asked him why he hadn't shown that passion when he had the chance to run for leader himself.
Chuka dropped out of the race to replace Ed Miliband in 2015, citing the intense pressure and scrutiny on his family - just three days after he first announced he wanted to lead the party.
He joined Shelagh to talk about this weekend's leadership announcement, which is expected to see Jeremy Corbyn returned as leader despite the challenge of Owen Smith.
Shelagh asked Chuka: "Where was this Chuka Umunna, this passionate, emboldened, defined, definite Chuka Umunna...over a year ago with the campaign for the leadership that you decided was not for you.
"Where was this Chuka Umunna then?"
Chuka's response: a hearty laugh.
"Do you regret not coming out fighting a bit more at the time and actually standing?" asked Shelagh.
Chuka insisted that he didn't, before adding that he was getting married this summer so 2016 wasn't the right time to run either.
"I'm not sure if I said to my wife we're not going on the honeymoon, I'm running for the leadership, I'm not sure that would have been the right thing to do."
