Sir Keir Starmer has won the backing of three out of four Bristol MPs in his bid to become the next Labour leader.
Bristol MPs Thangam Debbonaire, Kerry McCarthy and Karin Smyth are all supporting the shadow Brexit secretary to replace Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, while Darren Jones has thrown his weight behind the outspoken backbench MP Jess Phillips.
Ms Debbonaire, the MP for Bristol West who was recently promoted to shadow Brexit minister, is a member of Mr Starmer's campaign team and has been tasked with drumming up support from fellow MPs.
To get on to the ballot, MPs need nominations from 22 MPs. So far Mr Starmer is in the lead with 63 nominations, followed by 26 for shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, 24 for Wigan MP Lisa Nandy and 22 for Ms Phillips.
Shadow education secretary Emily Thornberry and Norwich South MP Clive Lewis are both trailing the race with nine and four nominations, respectively. They have until Monday to secure the 22 needed to proceed to the next round.
The Bristol MPs have also decided who they want to be the next deputy leader of the party.
Ms Debbonaire is supporting Tooting MP Rosena Allin Khan; Ms Smyth is backing shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler and Darren Jones and Kerry McCarthy are both championing the party’s sole Scottish MP Ian Murray
Here Bristol's MPs explain why they are backing their preferred candidate.
Thangam Debbonaire, Bristol West - Sir Keir Starmer
"I want the leader of the Labour party to be someone who builds relationships with the team, who can represent the membership of the Labour party, is an outstanding communicator on what Labour values mean for the people of the United Kingdom and, most importantly, can convince the people of the United Kingdom that the Labour party is worthy of their vote and truly represents them.
"The parliamentary Labour party has got a lot of talented people.
"I am sad that so far, the Labour party has not managed to elect a woman as leader. However, when I looked at the leadership qualities of all the candidates - and they have all got plus points - one stood out by a mile - and that is Keir Starmer."
Kerry McCarthy, Bristol East - Sir Keir Starmer
"Much as I would have liked to support a woman for leader, Keir is indisputably the best candidate to lead Labour at this very difficult time for our party.
"His hugely impressive track record as a lawyer and public servant, and his more recent work on Labour’s frontbench, means he has real credibility.
"He is not just someone who is principled and ready to take a stand; he’s someone who can get things done, through being smart, competent and extremely hard-working. I had many difficult conversations with voters during the recent election, and I know they are looking for a Labour leader with the qualities Keir demonstrates in droves."
Karin Smyth, Bristol South - Sir Keir Starmer
"All the declared candidates for leader have very strong attributes; and I am confident that whoever wins will rise to the challenge and take the fight to Boris Johnson and the Tories.
"I am backing Keir Starmer.
"I worked closely with Keir both in my previous role as his Parliamentary Private Secretary and in my current role as Shadow Northern Ireland Minister. He's campaigned with me here in Bristol South, most recently during last month's General Election campaign.
"As part of his team, I’ve seen first-hand what a good leader he is and, when welcoming him to Bristol South, how well regarded he is on the doorstep. I have every confidence in him to lead the Labour Party and hold the government to account and I will work with him to achieve this."
Darren Jones, Bristol North West - Jess Phillips
"I'm delighted to have so many excellent candidates for leader of my party.
"At this stage, MPs need to decide who should be in the race. I want a good spread of candidates and Jess Phillips has a track record of connecting with the people in new and different ways.
"I've therefore supported Jess and look forward to engaging with all our candidates in the contest ahead."
How will the next leader be chosen?
To get on to the leadership ballot, candidates must secure the nominations of 22 of their colleagues in the parliamentary party as well as support from five per cent of constituency parties or three affiliates, two of which must be trade unions.
Once they have secured this threshold and the ballot opens on February 21, Labour party members and registered and affiliated supporters will be able to cast a vote for their candidate in order of preference. The ballot closes on April 2.
Who can vote?
Labour party members, union affiliates and registered supporters are all able to vote in the leadership election.
Members and union affiliates have until 5pm on Monday January 20 to sign up for a ballot, while those who are not full-on members can sign up as a registered supporter in order to cast their vote. To do this they will have to pay £25 and will have 48 hours between 5pm next Tuesday and 5pm next Thursday to sign up.
In the 2015 leadership election to replace Ed Miliband, registered supporters were able to choose the next leader for a £3 fee, but this was increased to £25 in the leadership election to contest Mr Corbyn the following year.
What are the key dates?
Tuesday January 7 - Nominations from the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) and the European Labour parliamentary party open (EPLP) and leadership hustings take place
Wednesday January 8 - PLP and EPLP hustings take place for the post of deputy leader
Monday January 13 - Deadline for MPs and MEPs to submit their nominations
Tuesday January 14 - Deadline for nominated candidates to consent to nomination and to send statements to constituency Labour parties and affiliates
Tuesday January 14 - Registered supporters applications open at 5pm
Wednesday January 15 - Nominations from CLPs and affiliates open
Thursday January 16 - Registered supporters applications open at 5pm
Monday January 20 - Freeze date for voting eligibility for new members and affiliated supporters
Friday February 14 - Close of CLP and affiliate nominations
Tuesday February 21 - Ballot opens
Thursday April 2 - Ballot closes
Saturday April 4 - Special conference to announce result
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