Frontrunner Dan Jarvis quits race for Labour leadership

In an article for The Times, Labour leadership favourite Dan Jarvis says that now 'is not the right time' for his family
In an article for The Times, Labour leadership favourite Dan Jarvis says that now 'is not the right time' for his family
DAVID BEBBER/THE TIMES

Dan Jarvis, the former paratrooper tipped to replace Ed Miliband, today rules himself out of the race and launches a devastating critique of the former Labour leader.

Supporters of Mr Jarvis, a former major who served in Afghanistan, believed he was best placed to reconnect the party with its voters and present a new face and fresh start after its crushing defeat.

However, in an article in The Times he says that it is “not the right time for my family” following the death of his wife, Caroline, from cancer in 2011. “My eldest kids had a very tough time when they lost their mum and I don’t want them to lose their dad. I need some space for them, my wife and our youngest