Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons Leader Lucy Powell have emerged as the final two candidates in the race to become Labour's deputy leader, after both secured enough nominations from MPs to enter the party members' ballot. Phillipson garnered 175 MP endorsements, while Powell passed the threshold with 117. Left-wing MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy failed to make the cut.
Phillipson said she was proud to have received support from across the party and stressed the need for unity to win a second term, stating: 'Labour only wins when our party comes together.' Powell, who was removed from the frontbench in a recent reshuffle, described herself as 'Labour through and through' and pledged to be a bridge for all parts of the movement.
The contest is widely seen as a proxy battle between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a potential successor. Burnham has endorsed Powell, and many sacked MPs have also backed her. Powell's team has dismissed such framing as sexist.
Tensions have risen after Mainstream, a centre-left Labour organisation backed by Burnham, criticised the handling of Peter Mandelson's sacking as US ambassador. The group accused Starmer of running a 'narrow and brittle political project,' prompting one MP to label the statement a 'leadership challenge.'
Both candidates have pledged to be active campaigners across the country. Ballots will open on 8 October and close on 23 October, with the winner announced on 25 October. A hustings is scheduled for the Labour Party conference.
