MP Phillipson sets out her vision to be deputy leader

SUNDERLAND MP Bridget Phillipson has promised to “unite the Labour Party” and beat Reform UK if she becomes deputy leader.

- SAM VOLPE Reporter

Education — Secretary and Houghton and Sunderland South MP Ms Phillipson launched her campaign for the job in at the Fire Station in the city yesterday.

She pledged to take on Reform UK with a “mandate to do more’, confirming she will continue the campaigning role of Angela Rayner, who resigned the deputy leadership over her tax affairs,.

Ms Phillipson is up against her former Cabinet colleague Lucy Powell, who lost her post as Commons leader in the reshuffle triggered when Ms Rayner quit.

Ms Phillipson said: “You can use this contest to look backward, to pass judgment on what has happened in the last year, or you can use it to shape positively what happens in the run-up to the next election.