Bridget Phillipson has been appointed Labour party chair, placing her at the forefront of the party's campaign for the next general election. The former education secretary succeeds Anna Turley, who was moved to a Home Office role in last week's cabinet reshuffle.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Phillipson would drive culture change and work alongside him and deputy leader Lucy Powell. 'She will play a vital role in ensuring the Labour party is match fit for the next election,' he stated.
Phillipson, who was sacked as education secretary and replaced by Powell, retains her cabinet position as women and equalities minister. She is known for overseeing the landmark Send reforms and the introduction of VAT on private school fees.
Responding to criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who called her a 'spiteful class warrior', Phillipson said she would wear the label with pride if it meant lifting half a million children out of poverty. She has argued for abolishing the two-child benefit cap.
Phillipson's appointment is seen as an olive branch to the previous government, with Burnham emphasising his commitment to drawing on talent across the party. She pledged to put 'Labour values and the voices of our movement at the heart of government'.
