Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has emerged as the frontrunner in the Labour deputy leadership contest, according to a Survation poll for LabourList. The survey of party members shows Phillipson with a favourability rating of +39 per cent, significantly ahead of Emily Thornberry on +20 per cent.
Other declared candidates trail further behind, with Lucy Powell at 1 per cent and Bell Ribeiro-Addy at -3 per cent. Among potential candidates yet to declare, Alison McGovern has a 19 per cent favourability rating, while Meg Hillier, Sarah Owen, Stella Creasy and Nadia Whittome poll at 14, 13, 10 and -5 per cent respectively. Survation did not ask about Paula Barker, the fifth declared candidate.
To get on the ballot, candidates need nominations from 80 Labour MPs, and once an MP nominates, they cannot switch. The Times' Patrick Maguire suggested Phillipson could be the only one to reach the threshold, potentially being elected unopposed this week. This would be an ideal outcome for Keir Starmer, avoiding a contest dominated by debates on Israel and wealth taxes.
