Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has officially entered the contest to become Labour’s Deputy Leader, making her the most senior figure to announce her candidacy so far. The Deputy Leader race also includes Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Dame Emily Thornberry and Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who declared her intention to run on Monday.
Lucy Powell, recently dismissed from her position as Leader of the House of Commons, is expected to announce her candidacy soon. However, both Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan have ruled themselves out of the race.
To enter the contest, candidates must secure nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs by Thursday evening. They also need backing from either 5% of local parties or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. After clearing these hurdles, the contest will proceed with a vote by Labour members, and the winner will be announced on October 25.
The party will hold hustings at its annual conference at the end of September, giving candidates the chance to make their case to members. However, some have criticized the three-day window for obtaining MP nominations, calling it unfair.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a backbencher from the left wing of the party, voiced concerns, stating that many members and voters are unhappy with Labour’s current direction. She highlighted issues such as the situation in Gaza, welfare cuts, and winter fuel allowances.
Bridget Phillipson positioned herself as a “proud working-class woman from the North East” who is determined to fight for the Labour Party’s values of equality, fairness, and social justice.
Dame Emily Thornberry, known for her hard-hitting stance on policy, vowed that if successful, she would not merely “nod along” but would hold the leadership to account on critical issues like welfare reform, Gaza, and wealth tax.
As the race for Deputy Leader heats up, some senior figures, including former Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, have advocated for a female to hold the position. The winner will become the new Deputy Leader, while David Lammy remains the appointed Deputy Prime Minister, a position decided by the Prime Minister.
