Labour Deputy Leadership Race Narrows as Phillipson Secures Key Nominations

The Labour Party is conducting a deputy leadership election to replace Angela Rayner, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emerging as the frontrunner after securing the required MP nominations to advance in the contest. Phillipson, seen as the preferred candidate by Keir Starmer's allies, has emphasized immigration and border security as key issues, aiming to appeal to Labour's northern heartland voters threatened by Reform UK. Former Commons leader Lucy Powell is close behind but has been sacked from government, and other candidates like Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Paula Barker, and Emily Thornberry represent the party's left wing, expressing concerns about the nomination process and advocating for a more inclusive internal party culture. The contest is expected to narrow into a two-horse race between Phillipson and Powell, with the final deputy leader to be announced in late October following a complex nomination and voting process involving MPs, local party representatives, and affiliated groups. The election is viewed by some as a referendum on Starmer's leadership, with left-wing candidates challenging the current direction but facing organizational hurdles. Campaign issues among candidates include welfare, Gaza, wealth tax, and education policy, highlighting ideological divisions within the party.