My advice to Labour leadership and deputy leadership candidates (having been through a couple) ...

1. Don’t be negative about or attack each other. Put forward your positive case. This is a platform to unite people and attack the failures of Labour’s opponents

2. This might be an internal election, but don’t be internally-focused – mobilise Labour members around the arguments you want to make as Leader, and speak to the electorate, explain your policies.

3. You will get the inevitable “would you serve under X” question. The answer is yes you would. If you’re not prepared to work with others, you can’t lead.

4. If you win, appoint good people who you can work with. There are some immensely talented people around, and there are enough stresses and strains as Leader without inflicting pain on yourself.

5. Don’t ever attack staff. Whether they’re good, bad or indifferent, senior or junior. You have a media platform, they can’t answer back. It makes you look a bully, not a leader.

(and it’s especially inappropriate for a party funded and founded by trade unions)

6. And if you win the deputy leadership election, be a deputy. Support the leader, the party, and agree distinct areas of work and responsibility.