Labour lines up for leadership and London mayor

Regardless of party politics, we welcome Diane Abbott's decision to enter the Labour leadership contest ( Editorial , 24 May). This is important for the Labour party, but also for an inclusive modern democratic process. That's why we think it important that she gains the required nominations from her fellow MPs. Diane brings much more than race and gender to the leadership debate. She also brings vast political experience and political views that will not be there if she is not nominated. Debate on issues such as the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, civil liberties, union rights, immigration, social justice, gender and broader equality issues will all benefit from her intervention. Now more than ever this new political landscape needs bold and courageous women to be at the heart of political debate. We strongly urge Labour MPs to use their crucial role to ensure that Diane secures sufficient nominations to remain in the contest. Simon Woolley (Operation Black Vote) Ann Pettifor Ahmad Shahzad (Chair BAME Labour) Bell Ribeiro Addy (NUS Black Students Officer) Peter Willsman (Labour Party NEC) Oona King (former MP) Kwame Kwei-Armah (actor/playwright) Lorene Fabian Anni Marjoram David Linsey Russell Cartwright • The election of a London mayor in 2012 will test the strength of Conservative support nearly two years into David Cameron's administration. London needs to return to a policy of investing in our public services, leading the capital and speaking for London as a whole, not the cuts and incoherence of the present administration under Boris Johnson. Labour will shortly choose a candidate for mayor. We need a candidate who can give leadership in a time of crisis, has demonstrated their commitment to innovation and cutting-edge policies, who understands London's political landscape and who always puts London first. To maintain our safer neighbourhood police teams, protect the fare payer, and ensure a powerful voice for London in future we will be supporting Ken Livingstone as the best-placed candidate to secure a progressive future for London. Claude Moraes MEP Labour, London Virendra Sharma MP Lab, Ealing Southall Andy Slaughter MP Lab, Hammersmith Val Shawcross London assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark Cllr Liam Smith Leader, Barking and Dagenham council Cat Smith Vice-chair, London Young Labour Nicky Gavron London assembly member Cllr Julian Bell Leader, Ealing council Lord Toby Harris Cllr Dame Sally Powell Hammersmith council • The war in Iraq has done so much to rupture public trust in the Labour party, we believe it would be a retrograde step for Labour not to select a candidate for mayor of London who opposed the war. Labour's backing for the war caused millions to be alienated from the party and ruptured our relations with voters in communities who had always previously shown strong support for Labour. Selecting a candidate who supported the war against a candidate who opposed it would send the wrong signal to Londoners. Jeremy Corbyn MP Chris McLaughlin Editor, Tribune Sam Tarry Chair, Young Labour and Cllr, LB Barking Walter Wolfgang Former NEC member Ben Folley Compass Cllr Charlynne Pullen LB Islington Cllr Nicholas Russell LB Waltham Forest Cllr Pat Healy LB Kensington and Chelsea Cllr Thomas Gardiner LB Camden and Young Labour national committee Louise Haigh London Young Labour committee Tom Miller Former parliamentary candidate