Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria and
Emily ClarkWestminster
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has urged Labour to remain united as she launched her bid for the party’s deputy leadership.
In a speech in Sunderland, she told supporters to back her to bring the party together, secure a second term and “deliver the change we want to see and beat Reform”.
The Houghton and Sunderland South MP also paid tribute to Angela Rayner, who vacated the deputy leadership when she resigned over her tax affairs, and pledged to continue her campaigning role.
Phillipson is up against her former Cabinet colleague Lucy Powell, who lost her post as Commons leader in the reshuffle triggered when Rayner quit.
She warned the party would not win if it was not united.
“How did we win last [time]? We came together to show the country a different vision for the future.
“I won’t pretend this government hasn’t made mistakes – I’ve been first to admit it.
“But we can’t afford to look inwards – to go back to bad old days of divided Labour Party and open old wounds.
“If we turn against each other only one person will win – Nigel Farage – but millions more will lose.”
Phillipson pledged to take on Reform UK with a “mandate to do more”.
She was joined by Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, at the Fire Station music venue in Sunderland.
The contest is seen by some as a referendum on the Prime Minister’s leadership, which has come under pressure amid the loss of two of his government’s household names – Rayner and Lord Mandelson – within a week.
Phillipson said she planned to use her position to give members a “strong voice” at the Cabinet table.
“What can be achieved under a deputy leader with a seat at Cabinet? Just look at Angela Rayner. Angela knew the importance of the role she had. There was nothing part-time about her deputy leadership.
“That’s why, today, I pledge to continue Angela Rayner’s campaigning role as deputy leader.
The winner of the contest will not become deputy prime minister, as Rayner was, because that position has already been handed to Justice Secretary David Lammy.
The Education Secretary and Ms Powell now need to secure the support of 5% of constituency parties or at least three affiliates, including at least two affiliated trade unions.
The ballot for candidates who clear the nomination hurdles will open on 8 October and close at 12:00 (BST) on 23 October, with the winner announced on 25 October.
