Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson has successfully entered the race to replace Angela Rayner as the Labour Party’s deputy leader. Phillipson garnered 116 endorsements, surpassing the required 80 nominations, while Lucy Powell fell short by only three, with 77 backers.
In a significant development for Phillipson, Housing Minister Alison McGovern withdrew from the competition and threw her support behind Phillipson, citing her as the most suitable candidate to unify the party. McGovern acknowledged the shift in momentum and opted not to advance to the next stage, endorsing Phillipson to lead the party forward in the face of opposition.
Expressing her support, McGovern stated her intent to nominate Phillipson as the candidate capable of uniting the party and confronting adversaries. She emphasized the importance of advocating for progressive ideals to counter far-right and populist forces, irrespective of the outcome of the contest.
The remaining contenders, including Dame Emily Thornberry, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Paula Barker, are vying for additional support from MPs ahead of the impending deadline. As of Wednesday evening, Dame Emily secured 13 nominations, Ribeiro-Addy garnered 15, and Barker received backing from 14 MPs.
All five female MPs are anticipated to participate in a virtual hustings, where they will present their platforms to fellow MPs. Meanwhile, Dame Margaret Beckett, the first woman to hold the deputy leader position, reflected on her tenure, describing it as demanding and challenging. Beckett emphasized the need for a cohesive leadership team to guide the party effectively.
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