Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson has successfully entered the competition to replace Angela Rayner as the deputy leader of the Labour Party. With the support of 116 MPs, the Education Secretary surpassed the required 80 nominations. Meanwhile, Lucy Powell fell just short of the threshold with 77 backers after losing her position as Commons leader in Keir Starmer’s recent reshuffle.
In a significant development, Housing Minister Alison McGovern withdrew from the race and endorsed Bridget Phillipson, citing her as the candidate best suited to unify the party. McGovern acknowledged the shifting dynamics of the contest and expressed confidence in Phillipson’s ability to lead the party against its adversaries.
Determined to advocate for progressive ideals regardless of the election outcome, McGovern emphasized the importance of standing up to far-right and populist factions. The remaining contenders, including Dame Emily Thornberry, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Paula Barker, are vying for additional support from MPs before the upcoming deadline.
The five female candidates are scheduled to participate in a virtual hustings session to present their platforms to MPs. Meanwhile, former deputy leader Dame Margaret Beckett, the first woman to hold the position, described the role as demanding and challenging, highlighting the need for a cohesive leadership team to guide the party effectively. Beckett emphasized the importance of focusing on constructive efforts rather than engaging in divisive tactics.
Receive daily UK political insights by subscribing to our complimentary email newsletter for the latest updates directly to your inbox.