The race to replace Angela Rayner as deputy Labour leader has started.
She resigned on 5 September from government and from her party post after she was found to have breached the ministerial code for not paying enough stamp duty on a second home she purchased in Hove, East Sussex, earlier this year.
Politics latest: Two big Labour names enter the race
Ms Rayner had been deputy leader of the Labour Party since 2020, when Sir Keir Starmer was voted in as leader.
There is now a battle to replace her, with nominations by MPs due by 5pm on 11 September and a result on 25 October.
A total of 80 MPs need to back a candidate for them to be nominated, before Constituency Labour Party members nominate, then members vote from 8-23 October.
Who has thrown their hat in the ring?
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
The Clapham and Brixton Hill MP will be popular with those on the left of the party – however, the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs are only about 30-40 strong.
Several left-wing Labour MPs including Nadia Whittome, Richard Burgon and Andy McDonald, were quick to publicly back her after she was the first out of the blocks to announce her intention to stand.
Known for standing her ground, she said she was standing because she believes the government “urgently needs to go back to the guiding values of our party and movement, and deliver an ambitious programme of popular, progressive policies”.
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The MP accused Sir Keir’s government of being a “pale imitation of Reform” and of “blindly following Treasury orthodoxy” instead of tackling poverty and inequality “through wealth taxes and scrapping the two child benefit cap”.
She also called the proscription of Palestine Action as a terror group “absurd and authoritarian” and said the seven Labour MPs ousted from the party “for voting with their consciences” should be allowed back in.
Her heavy criticism of the current government may not win her enough support to be nominated, but she could still gain backing from those who believe Labour has departed from its founding principles.
Bridget Phillipson
Bridget Phillipson
A Starmer loyalist and cabinet member, who managed to maintain her position during the reshuffle, Ms Phillipson announced her intention to stand shortly after nominations opened.
She described herself as “a proud working-class woman from the north east” who had gone from “a single parent family on a tough council street” to the cabinet table.
The education secretary has won support from across the Labour Party for removing tax relief on private schools, expanding free school meals and funded childcare.
She added: “Make no mistake: we are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses to our country.
“But not only am I ready for it: I’ve proven we can do it. I’ve shown we can beat Farage in the north east, while staying true to the Labour Party’s values of equality, fairness and social justice.”
As a cabinet minister, those on the left may be suspicious of her closeness to Sir Keir, but she will be seen by backbench MPs as Downing Street’s de facto candidate.
Her roots as a working-class northerner will tick the boxes for many MPs.
Emily Thornberry
Emily Thornberry
The chair of the influential foreign affairs committee, Dame Emily did not make it into Sir Keir’s initial (or current) cabinet despite serving as shadow attorney general.
In a dig at Ms Rayner, she has promised to speak out and “not just nod along” with the party leadership.
Her top issues, she said, would be Gaza and welfare, and also a wealth tax and expected cuts to special educational needs (SEND) – all subjects that could gain her support from the left.
Dame Emily said she would be a “voice for the membership, unions, PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) and our constituents – not just nod along”.
As a former barrister in a neighbouring north London constituency to Sir Keir’s, she may be seen as too similar to the prime minister.
Many members have also called for a deputy from the north of England – something she cannot claim to be.
Lucy Powell
Lucy Powell
The former leader of the Commons, who was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer during his major cabinet reshuffle, said she had received “much encouragement” to stand.
Announcing her intention to stand, Ms Powell said living in Manchester “has rooted my politics in an understanding of people’s everyday hopes and fears”.
She also promised to “bring together all parts of the party” and “unite our team”.
In 2010, Ms Powell managed Ed Miliband’s successful leadership campaign.
The Manchester Central MP acknowledged the “huge challenges” the Labour Party faces – and promised to help face them with “bold policies, rooted in progressive Labour values.”
