“In my economic speech I criticised George Osborne’s Budget for not doing enough [to reduce the deficit]” says one Labour leadership contender this morning. They go on:

“if the deficit has been closed by 2020 and the economy is growing (as Osborne forecasts), then Labour should not run a current budget deficit”

At least someone in the race is being fiscally responsible…

The candidate continues with a pitch to win back votes lost to the right: “I think an honest, straight-talking politics can win back support from the Conservatives [and] UKIP”. They are keen to stress their pro-business credentials, too: “I work with local businesses in my constituency, including some very promising high-tech businesses”. Loony lefties ain’t gonna like that…

What’s more, this candidate has even worked directly with the Tories:

“I recently spent a long weekend in Washington with Conservative MPs David Davis and Andrew Mitchell… They can see the greater good in working together, and I’m sure all Labour colleagues will too.”

How long before the loony left are calling Jeremy Corbyn a Tory sell out?