Angela Rayner's resignation as deputy Labour leader has triggered an internal election to find her successor, potentially sparking a battle for the party's direction. Rayner quit both her government roles and the party deputy leadership on Friday after an independent adviser found she breached ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on her Hove flat.
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne won the deputy leadership in 2020 alongside Keir Starmer's leadership victory. The winner of this contest will not automatically become deputy prime minister, as David Lammy has been appointed to that role.
The race comes at a difficult time for Starmer, with polling showing low approval ratings. A YouGov tracker in August put his favourability at 24%, while a Survation poll found 64% of Labour members felt the party was heading in the wrong direction.
However, some ministers and MPs remain popular with the grassroots, which could shape the contest. Labour members are likely to favour a candidate from the left who will push the government to uphold core party values, as Rayner did.
Candidates need nominations from 20% of Labour MPs (80), then from 5% of constituency parties or three affiliates including two trade unions. A preferential ballot of members and affiliates will follow. Senior figures like Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall may struggle due to low member approval ratings.
