The Labour Party’s deputy leadership race has burst into the spotlight this week, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emerging as the early frontrunner in a contest triggered by the dramatic resignation of Angela Rayner. As the deadline for nominations looms, the field has narrowed to six determined women, each vying to steer the party’s direction at a pivotal moment.
Angela Rayner’s decision to step down from her roles as deputy Labour leader, housing secretary, and deputy prime minister followed revelations she had underpaid stamp duty on a flat in Hove. According to BBC, this unexpected resignation set off a scramble among Labour MPs, with candidates now racing to secure the minimum 80 MP nominations required by 5pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The ultimate successor will be decided by a vote of party members and affiliated supporters, with results set to be declared on October 25.
As of 6pm on Tuesday, Bridget Phillipson had secured the backing of 44 colleagues, putting her comfortably ahead of the pack, according to Sky News. Lucy Powell, the recently ousted Commons leader, trailed with 35 nominations. The rest of the field—Bell Ribeiro-Addy (8), Dame Emily Thornberry (7), Paula Barker (3), and Alison McGovern (2)—face a steep climb to reach the threshold. Yet, campaign teams insist the official tally may not fully reflect the true state of play, as less than a quarter of the Parliamentary Labour Party’s 398 MPs had made their nominations public by that point.
The nomination process is only the first hurdle. Candidates who clear it must then secure support from either 5% of Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) or three affiliated organizations, including at least two trade unions. Those who succeed will appear on the ballot for a vote of all party members and affiliated supporters. The process, set by Labour’s National Executive Committee, is designed to test both parliamentary and grassroots appeal.
This year’s contest is remarkable for its all-female slate—a fact not lost on many in the party. The field reflects calls for the deputy leadership to remain with a Northern woman, though two candidates—Ribeiro-Addy and Thornberry—represent London constituencies. As Sky News noted, both Phillipson and McGovern have emphasized their Northern roots, pitching themselves as best placed to take on the electoral threat posed by Reform UK, particularly in traditional Labour heartlands.
Bridget Phillipson, the only cabinet minister in the race, has leaned heavily on her personal story. As she told BBC, she is a “proud working class woman from the north east,” and believes her journey from a council house to the highest ranks of government demonstrates the values Labour stands for. “With me as Deputy Leader we will beat them right across the country and unite to deliver the opportunity that working people across this great country deserve,” she declared. Her supporters argue that her experience and loyalty to the current government make her a unifying choice at a time when party unity is at a premium.
Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central and backed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, has positioned herself as a bridge-builder within the party. Announcing her candidacy, she said her goal was to “bring together all parts of the party, and unite our broad voter coalition.” She pointed to her record in government, where she “championed our backbenchers, made sure their voices were heard, and sought to unite our team.” Powell’s recent removal from the Commons leadership role in the latest reshuffle has given her campaign an underdog edge, appealing to those who feel the party needs to reconnect with its grassroots.
On the party’s left, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, has the backing of the Socialist Campaign Group and veteran MP Diane Abbott. A self-described socialist, feminist, anti-racist, and trade unionist, Ribeiro-Addy has used her candidacy to call for a frank debate about Labour’s direction. Speaking to BBC, she insisted, “Labour’s deputy leader should be free to criticise government policy,” and warned that without a shift, the party risks failing to “attract or even to retain” voters. She has also voiced concerns about the contest’s compressed timeline, telling Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge that having just a few days to secure 80 nominations “doesn’t feel right,” especially given that “the winner is ultimately decided by members.”
Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and former shadow foreign secretary, is running on a platform of accountability and reform. In a statement on X, she said, “We fought hard for a Labour government. But we’ve made mistakes and must listen. Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND. I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP, and our constituents—not just nod along.” Thornberry’s campaign has been frank about the challenges facing Labour, arguing the party “can’t afford to keep making mistakes” as it faces pressure from Reform UK and must listen more to the public. However, her London seat could be a disadvantage for those seeking a counterbalance to what some see as Labour’s London-centric leadership.
Alison McGovern, the housing minister and MP for Birkenhead, has promised to confront “the huge threat from the dark forces of right-wing populism.” In her campaign launch, she said she would fight for “the right to a home, a job and to feel part of this country.” McGovern, who grew up in the Wirral and is seen as on the party’s right, is a former chair of Progress, the group that supported Tony Blair’s leadership. Her supporters argue she is well placed to connect with voters in the north of England, but her low nomination count so far has raised questions about her prospects.
Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and a former Unison trade union official, brings a strong record on social justice issues. She told BBC Radio 4’s World At One, “We’re working on numbers now, our numbers are looking healthy.” Barker left Labour’s front bench in 2023 over the party’s stance on Gaza, voting for an immediate ceasefire against the leadership’s wishes. She continues to serve as co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness and sits on the Standards and Privileges Committees. Her candidacy appeals to those who want a deputy leader willing to challenge the government on welfare and foreign policy.
The contest’s format has not been without controversy. Wednesday evening’s hustings event, designed to give MPs a chance to quiz the six contenders, will be held online—raising concerns about accessibility and moderation. Paula Barker told Sky News, “I think the very tight timeframe and the fact hustings for MPs are being held online 8pm - 9pm when the majority of colleagues are travelling home undoubtedly compounds the issue. Of course, that is an issue to be addressed by whoever wins the race and at this moment in time we are all in the same boat.” Labour sources defended the schedule, insisting that “there’s frankly no convenient time to do it. Ministers will have busy diaries serving the public during the day... priority has to remain public service.”
Several high-profile Labour figures—Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting, Rosena Allin-Khan, Louise Haigh, and Barry Gardiner—have ruled themselves out of the contest. Regardless of the outcome, David Lammy will continue as deputy prime minister, according to BBC.
With the deadline fast approaching, the next deputy leader of the Labour Party will need to balance the competing demands of party unity, grassroots democracy, and electoral strategy. The outcome of this race will shape Labour’s approach to the challenges ahead, as it seeks to consolidate its position in government and fend off rivals on all sides.
