Bridget Phillipson enters race for Labour Deputy Leader, promises to take on Reform
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced she will run for Labour Deputy Leader, promising to take on Reform and represent the working class.
Phillipson is the second candidate to enter the race for Deputy Leader following the resignation of Angela Rayner from the position last week.
Announcing her candidacy on X, Phillipson said she was confident she could deliver for the country.
She also explicitly mentioned taking on Reform, which is surging ahead of established parties in the polls.
“As a proud working-class woman from the North East, I have come from a tough council street all the way to the Cabinet,” she said.
“I will be a strong voice to unite our Party, take the fight to Reform, and deliver for our country.”
Rayner announced her resignation on Friday September 5th, precipitating a race for the now-open position of Labour Deputy Leader.
She resigned after the government’s ethics adviser found she had breached the ministerial code over her underpayment of stamp duty on a second flat.
Phillipson’s announcement follows after Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy was the first to announce she would enter the race with a statement on Monday night, noting the ‘three short and undemocratic days’ the race provided for candidates to campaign for party votes.
More Labour ministers are expected to announce their candidacy for the deputy leadership in the coming days, with an appointment
