This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rvqv9yg4eo
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Bridget Phillipson enters Labour deputy leader contest | Bridget Phillipson enters Labour deputy leader contest |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to be Labour's deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to put her name forward so far. | Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to be Labour's deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to put her name forward so far. |
Foreign affairs committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry has also entered the race to replace Angela Rayner in the deputy leader role. | |
The pair join Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, who said she would be running on Monday evening. | |
Lucy Powell, who was sacked from her government job of leader of the House of Commons last week, is expected to announce her candidacy. | |
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan have ruled themselves out. | |
Candidates have until Thursday evening to get nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs in order to take part in the contest. | Candidates have until Thursday evening to get nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs in order to take part in the contest. |
They will also need the backing of either 5% of local parties, or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. | They will also need the backing of either 5% of local parties, or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. |
Those who clear the bar face a vote by party members, with the winner announced on 25 October. | Those who clear the bar face a vote by party members, with the winner announced on 25 October. |
Some in Labour have criticised the tight three-day window for getting MP nominations, which was announced by party bosses on Monday. | Some in Labour have criticised the tight three-day window for getting MP nominations, which was announced by party bosses on Monday. |
Ribeiro-Addy, a backbencher from the left of the party, said: "It is absolutely unfair, and I don't think it's what the membership want". | Ribeiro-Addy, a backbencher from the left of the party, said: "It is absolutely unfair, and I don't think it's what the membership want". |
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said Labour needed to have a discussion about "what's gone wrong" with the party's direction. | Speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said Labour needed to have a discussion about "what's gone wrong" with the party's direction. |
She added that many members and voters were unhappy about "the situation in Gaza, the winter fuel allowances, the welfare cuts". | She added that many members and voters were unhappy about "the situation in Gaza, the winter fuel allowances, the welfare cuts". |
She could struggle to win enough nominations from MPs to make it to the next stage of the contest, however if she were elected, she would likely be critical a critical voice of the Starmer government. | |
Riberio-Addy has previously voted against the government, including on its benefits cuts and decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group. | |
By contrast, Phillipson, as a cabinet minister, would be expected to be more supportive of the government and its policies. | |
Announcing her decision to run, Phillipson described herself as a "proud working-class woman from the North East" who could bring "determination to every battle ahead of us". | Announcing her decision to run, Phillipson described herself as a "proud working-class woman from the North East" who could bring "determination to every battle ahead of us". |
"Because make no mistake: We are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country. | "Because make no mistake: We are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country. |
"But not only am I ready for it: I've proven we can do it. I've shown we can beat Farage in the North East, while staying true to the Labour Party's values of equality, fairness and social justice." | "But not only am I ready for it: I've proven we can do it. I've shown we can beat Farage in the North East, while staying true to the Labour Party's values of equality, fairness and social justice." |
Asked about the contest on BBC Breakfast, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he had not yet made up his mind about who he would support. | Asked about the contest on BBC Breakfast, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he had not yet made up his mind about who he would support. |
He added that deputy leadership contests usually took place after Labour had lost an election, but this one was taking "place in the context of a party who are in government, and whose focus has got to be delivering the change we promised at the last election". | He added that deputy leadership contests usually took place after Labour had lost an election, but this one was taking "place in the context of a party who are in government, and whose focus has got to be delivering the change we promised at the last election". |
Whoever wins the contest, David Lammy will remain as deputy prime minister - a role which is appointed by the prime minister, rather than decided by Labour Party members. | Whoever wins the contest, David Lammy will remain as deputy prime minister - a role which is appointed by the prime minister, rather than decided by Labour Party members. |
Last week, Rayner resigned from the role, as well as her post as housing secretary, after admitting she failed to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove. | |
Sir Laurie Magnus, the PM's ethics adviser, found she did get legal advice when buying the property, but failed to seek further expert tax advice as recommended. | |
Rayner said she took "full responsibility for this error", adding: "It was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount." |