Bridget Phillipson becomes first cabinet minister to join Labour’s deputy leader race
Education secretary announces bid to replace Angela Rayner and ‘unite our great party’
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced her candidacy for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, a position left vacant by Angela Rayner’s resignation over underpaid stamp duty.
- Ms Phillipson is considered the leadership's preferred candidate and is expected to secure the 80 MP nominations required by 11 September.
- Ms Phillipson, who represents Houghton and Sunderland South, said she wanted to “unite our great party and deliver for working people”.
- Her campaign launch will coincide with a keynote speech at the Trades Union Congress gathering in Brighton on Tuesday.
- Other contenders for the deputy leader role include Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Dame Emily Thornberry, while Louise Haigh has ruled herself out.