Bridget Phillipson enters Labour deputy leader contest | UK News

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to be Labour’s deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to put her name forward so far.

Foreign affairs committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry has also entered the race to replace Angela Rayner in the deputy leader role.

The pair join Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, who said she would be running on Monday evening.

Lucy Powell, who was sacked from her government job of leader of the House of Commons last week, is expected to announce her candidacy.

Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan have ruled themselves out.

Candidates have until Thursday evening to get nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs in order to take part in the contest.

They will also need the backing of either 5% of local parties, or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions.

Those who clear the bar face a vote by party members, with the winner announced on 25 October.

The party is planning hustings at its annual conference at the end of September, giving candidates the chance to make their pitch to Labour members.

Some in Labour have criticised the tight three-day window for getting MP nominations, which was announced by party bosses on Monday.

Ribeiro-Addy, a backbencher from the left of the party, said: “It is absolutely unfair, and I don’t think it’s what the membership want”.

Speaking to the Radio 4’s Today programme, she said Labour needed to have a discussion about “what’s gone wrong” with the party’s direction.

She added that many members and voters were unhappy about “the situation in Gaza, the winter fuel allowances, the welfare cuts”.

She could struggle to win enough nominations from MPs to make it to the next stage of the contest, however if she were elected, she would likely be critical a critical voice of the Starmer government.

Riberio-Addy has previously voted against the government, including on its benefits cuts and decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

By contrast, Phillipson, as a cabinet minister, would be expected to be more supportive of the government and its policies.

Announcing her decision to run, Phillipson described herself as a “proud working-class woman from the North East” who could bring “determination to every battle ahead of us”.

“Because make no mistake: We are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses 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.”

Declaring her intention to stand, Dame Emily signalled that, if successful, she would not give the leadership an easy ride.

The Islington South and Finsbury MP said in a post on social media: “We fought hard for a Labour government, but we’ve made mistakes and must listen.

“Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND [special educational needs and disabilities]. I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP, and our constituents – not just nod along.”

Dame Emily had been the party’s shadow attorney general when Labour was in opposition, but was not given a government job by Sir Keir Starmer when the party entered office last year.

So far no male candidates have announced their intention to run, and some senior figures in the party, including former deputy leader Harriet Harman, have said the position should be held by a woman.

Whoever wins the contest, David Lammy will remain as deputy prime minister – a role which is appointed by the prime minister, rather than decided by Labour Party members.

Last week, Rayner resigned from the role, as well as her post as housing secretary, after admitting she failed to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove.

Sir Laurie Magnus, the PM’s ethics adviser, found she did get legal advice when buying the property, but failed to seek further expert tax advice as recommended.

Rayner said she took “full responsibility for this error”, adding: “It was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.”