Labour’s race for the deputy leadership has narrowed to a dramatic showdown between two prominent women: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell. The contest, which gained momentum following the abrupt resignation of Angela Rayner over tax issues, is not just a battle of personalities but a pivotal moment for the party as it seeks unity and direction ahead of its annual conference in Liverpool later this month.
The contest officially entered its next stage after the Thursday, September 11, 2025, deadline, when only Phillipson and Powell managed to secure the required number of MP nominations. According to Manchester Evening News and corroborated by The Independent, Phillipson garnered an impressive 175 nominations from Labour MPs, while Powell secured 117. Backbencher Bell Ribeiro-Addy, despite an energetic campaign, fell short with just 24 nominations and was eliminated from the race. Other hopefuls, including Dame Emily Thornberry, Paula Barker, and Alison McGovern, withdrew before the deadline after failing to approach the 80-nomination threshold.
With the field now set, both Phillipson and Powell must clear another crucial hurdle: winning the backing of 5% of local constituency parties or at least three Labour-affiliated groups, two of which must be trade unions. If they succeed, their names will appear on the ballot for party members, with voting scheduled to open on October 8 and close at noon on October 23. The result, eagerly anticipated by party insiders and observers alike, will be announced on October 25.
In statements released after the nominations closed, both candidates struck notes of unity and optimism, signaling their intent to heal divisions and focus on Labour’s core mission. Bridget Phillipson, speaking to The Independent, declared, “I want to unite our party and our movement, deliver the change our country needs and beat Reform. Now is the time to come together so we can unite to win again.” Her emphasis on unity and a forward-looking agenda echoed throughout her campaign messaging, as she positioned herself as a steady hand capable of bridging internal divides and taking the fight to political rivals.
Lucy Powell, meanwhile, highlighted her deep roots in the party and her commitment to grassroots engagement. In her statement to Manchester Evening News, she said, “I am Labour through and through. I will always fight for our Party, our values and our traditions. At a time when there are forces trying to spread division and hatred, Labour must be the voice of unity and hope.” Powell further pledged to be “laser focussed on connecting with our communities through our MPs, elected representatives and members fighting for the change our country needs.” Her message resonated with members seeking a deputy leader who can energize the party base and reconnect with voters across the country.
The deputy leadership became vacant after Angela Rayner resigned last week under a cloud of controversy. Rayner, who also served as Housing Secretary, found herself at the center of a tax row after it emerged she had saved £40,000 in stamp duty on a flat by removing her name from the deeds of a family property in Ashton-under-Lyne, making the Hove property her sole residence. Rayner attributed the situation to incorrect legal advice, telling Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast, “I’ve been in shock, really, because I thought I’d done everything properly, and I relied on the advice that I received and I’m devastated because I’ve always upheld the rules and always have felt proud to do that.”
Rayner took steps to address the issue by alerting and referring herself to the independent adviser on the ministerial code and contacting HMRC to pay any additional tax owed. “As soon as I knew that that was the case, I have alerted and referred myself to the independent adviser on the ministerial code to ensure that they can look transparently at what has happened, and also contacted HMRC to say that, there is additional tax owing on this, and that I’m prepared to pay that and fully comply with the HMRC as well,” she told Sky News. However, the conveyancing firm Verrico and Associates, involved in the property transaction, denied giving tax advice and claimed they were being unfairly blamed for the error.
The fallout from Rayner’s resignation has cast a long shadow over the deputy leadership race, with some party insiders and commentators viewing the contest as a de facto referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. According to The Independent and Manchester Evening News, the timing of the contest—just weeks before Labour’s annual conference—has the potential to overshadow the event and inject an element of uncertainty into the party’s direction. However, neither Phillipson nor Powell has openly criticized Starmer, in contrast to other candidates who had called for a change of course. This stance has been interpreted by some as a sign of party discipline and a desire to project unity at a critical juncture.
The next steps in the deputy leadership contest are tightly choreographed. Both candidates have until 1pm on Friday, September 12, to submit statements for circulation to constituency parties and affiliates, with nominations opening the following day. The race will then move to the grassroots, where local parties and trade unions will play a decisive role in determining which candidate advances to the final ballot. The process, as outlined by The Independent, is designed to ensure that the eventual deputy leader commands broad support across the party’s diverse factions and interest groups.
For Labour, the stakes could hardly be higher. The party is still grappling with the fallout from high-profile resignations—not just Rayner’s, but also that of Lord Mandelson within the same week—and is facing renewed scrutiny of its leadership and internal culture. The deputy leadership contest, while rooted in the mechanics of party democracy, has become a focal point for debates about Labour’s future direction, its strategy for taking on political opponents like Reform, and its ability to present a united front to the electorate.
As the October 25 announcement draws nearer, all eyes will be on Phillipson and Powell as they make their case to the party faithful. Their ability to articulate a compelling vision, build coalitions, and inspire confidence will not only determine the outcome of the contest but may also shape Labour’s fortunes in the months and years ahead. One thing is certain: the road to Liverpool, and beyond, will be anything but dull.
