Bridget Phillipson has emerged as the early favourite in the Labour deputy leadership contest, securing 44 of the 99 nominations from Labour MPs as of Tuesday evening. The education secretary is seen as the de facto candidate of No 10, which is expected to help her secure the 'payroll' vote among MPs. However, some party members on the left may be wary of her role as a serving cabinet minister.
The contest features six female MPs: Emily Thornberry, Lucy Powell, Alison McGovern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Paula Barker, alongside Phillipson. Candidates must secure at least 80 MP nominations by Thursday afternoon to proceed. Powell has 35 nominations, followed by Ribeiro-Addy with eight, Thornberry with seven, Barker with three, and McGovern with two.
Senior party figures have urged MPs to select a woman from outside London to become Keir Starmer's deputy, warning against a contest that could damage the government amid its struggle against Reform. Phillipson, a working-class northerner, meets this requirement and has a reputation as an effective local campaigner.
Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said 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. I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP and our constituents – not just nod along.' Powell, running on a soft-left ticket, pledged to hold Starmer to account, while Ribeiro-Addy, the candidate of the left, called for a discussion on 'what's gone wrong' since Labour took office.
Allies of Phillipson highlight her record at the Department for Education, including expanding free school meals and childcare support. However, as a cabinet minister, she is unlikely to 'come out swinging' against Starmer, even if she acknowledges government mistakes on welfare and Gaza. The compressed timetable and concerns over a potentially toxic atmosphere have narrowed the field, with several senior female MPs dropping out.
