Phillipson and Powell Advance in Labour Deputy Leadership Race

The contest for the Labour Party’s deputy leadership has intensified as Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell secured enough support to progress to the second round. This development follows the elimination of backbencher Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who garnered only 24 nominations, falling short of the required 80 from Labour MPs.

In the final tally, Phillipson received 175 nominations, while Powell secured 117. Ribeiro-Addy’s exit signifies the end of her campaign after the nominations closed at 17:00 on Thursday. The race initially featured three other candidates: Dame Emily Thornberry, the chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, backbencher Paula Barker, and housing minister Alison McGovern, all of whom failed to reach the nomination threshold and withdrew before the deadline.

Next Steps in the Leadership Contest

With Phillipson and Powell as the remaining contenders, both will now need to secure the backing of 5% of constituency parties or support from at least three affiliates, including a minimum of two trade unions. The ballot for candidates who successfully navigate this nomination stage will begin on October 8, 2023, and conclude at noon on October 23, 2023. The outcome of the election will be announced on October 25, 2023.

The ongoing leadership contest is poised to overshadow the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool later this month. This internal election is seen by some as a referendum on the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Notably, neither Phillipson nor Powell has publicly criticized Starmer’s leadership, contrasting with other candidates who have advocated for a shift in direction.

The dynamics of this race not only reflect the candidates’ individual strategies but also the broader context of Labour’s positioning in relation to the government’s policies and public sentiment. As the party prepares for the conference, the leadership contest remains a focal point for party members and observers alike.