Iain McNicol’s last act as Labour General Secretary has been to give Ken Livingstone an indefinite suspension, top trolling of the Corbynistas who wanted to get Ken back in from the cold. This afternoon Jon Lansman has formally announced he is running for McNicol’s job “to open up the contest and ensure we have a wide range of candidates”.

There has been much speculation about the appointment of the @UKLabour General Secretary. Here is my statement: pic.twitter.com/oEE0AEc5rt

— Jon Lansman (@jonlansman) March 1, 2018

You might have thought the Momentum boss would be the choice of the Leader’s Office, but instead Team Jezza are backing the Unite candidate Jennie Formby. Lansman has had a fractious relationship with Seumas Milne, Karie Murphy and Andrew Fisher ever since they refused to give him a job first time round. The Leader’s Office has clearly been whipping public declarations of support for Formby and against Lansman:

👏🏻 #ForTheJenny #JenSec 👏🏻 https://t.co/4FUMKfdAnI

— Andrew Gwynne MP (@GwynneMP) February 27, 2018

Delighted the amazing @JennieUnite has put herself forward to be the next Gen Sec of @UKLabour. Jennie’s knowledge of our movement is second to none, she has incredible organisational ability & huge respect within the party. She has my backing to take us to the next level #JenSec https://t.co/dRHPhEPXxp

— Laura Pidcock MP (@LauraPidcockMP) February 27, 2018

I’ve known and worked alongside Jennie Formby and she will make an outstanding General Secretary of the Labour Party. Can’t think of anyone more experienced, hardworking, principled and kind hearted! https://t.co/Z686FIcLSo

— Dan Carden MP (@DanCardenMP) February 27, 2018

Great to see @Redlabour2016 backing @JennieUnite to be Labour’s next general secretary.
Jennie Formby is a woman of integrity and a socialist. She would be a first class gen sec.#JenSechttps://t.co/iS3mY3TZ4m

— Chris Williamson MP (@DerbyChrisW) March 1, 2018

Solidarity forever ✊🏽 and a very public endorsement for my good friend and comrade Jennie Formby @JennieUnite for @UKLabour General Secretary 🌹 😃 #ForTheJennie #ForTheMany #JenSec https://t.co/kXsjRDl25B

— Grahame Morris (@grahamemorris) February 27, 2018

There is also talk Lansman sees himself as a kamikaze candidate to take out Formby and allow another woman to come through the middle – indeed in his statement he invites other candidates to throw their hats in and even calls for a woman to get the job. Guido took a look at the potential other names here. Hardly the best timing given this is in the middle of Labour’s local election campaign, for which Momentum are doing a lot of the groundwork and Unite are providing the cash. This is going to be bloody…