Phillipson and Powell set for Labour deputy race

Sir Keir Starmer's hopes of a coronation for his chosen successor to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader seem to have been dashed.

- KATE DEVLIN DAVID MADDOX

His candidate for the crucial position, education secretary Bridget Phillipson, became the first to clear a major hurdle to secure the 80 MP nominations needed to get on the ballot paper.

With MPs hearing the pitches of the five remaining hopefuls, Ms Phillipson was far ahead with 116 nominations well beyond the 80 needed.

However, her chief rival, sacked former minister Lucy Powell was on 77. Ms Powell just needs three more MPs before nominations close at 5pm today which would put her in a run-off with Ms Phillipson in a vote by members.

Labour members are thought to be unhappy with Sir Keir over his policy on Gaza as well as attempts to cut welfare and there is a danger that the contest could become a referendum within the party on his premiership.

It was also a bad day for former frontbencher Dame Emily Thornberry who was trailing in last with 13 behind Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker on 14 and the left’s main candidate Bell Ribeiro-Addy on 15.