Explainer: Labour Party Deputy Leadership Election
What is the Role?
The Deputy Leader role is a Labour Party position and since the resignation of Angela Rayner has been decoupled with the role of Deputy Prime Minister. It is an elected position where the PLP decide who is on the ballot. Trade unions, Constituency Labour Parties and Affiliates can then nominate candidates, with the process culminating in a vote of all Labour Party members. Historically it has been a powerful position but who wins will have a big impact on what role they play.
What is the process?
- A fast process was agreed by the NEC on Monday 8th September.
- First stage: To get on the ballot to members, candidates must secure at least 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) (80 nominations) by fellow MPs by Thursday 11th September at 5pm.
- Second stage: Once through the PLP threshold candidates must also receive nominations from at least 5% of CLPs (33) or at least 3 affiliates (at least 2 of which will be trade unions).
- Once candidates have passed both stages, a ballot of eligible electors will be done under the One Member One Vote method (OMOV).
Full timetable below:
Monday 8 September: Freeze date for elector eligibility
Tuesday 9 September: PLP nominations open
Wednesday 10 September: PLP candidate hustings
Thursday 11 September (17:00): PLP nominations close (candidates must secure at least 80 nominations to get on the ballot)
Friday 12 September (13:00): Deadline for validly nominated candidates to consent to nomination and submit statements for circulation to CLPs and affiliates
Saturday 13 September: CLP and affiliate nominations open
Saturday 27 September: Close of CLP and affiliate nominations
Saturday 27 September - Wednesday 1 October: There will be a hustings at Labour Party Conference (specific date TBA)
Sunday 5 October: Deadline to resolve disputes as to voter eligibility
Wednesday 8 October: Ballot Opens
Monday 20 October: Last date to reissue electronic ballots
Thursday 23 October (12:00): Ballot Closes
Saturday 25 October: Announcement of result
Runners and Riders so far:
Big hitters both from Cabinet and the backbenches have ruled themselves out including: Shabana Mahmood MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Louise Haigh MP and Jess Phillips MP.
From Cabinet Bridget Phillipson MP has put her name forward, junior Minister Alison McGovern MP is also expected to run. Left wing candidate Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP declared her intention to run but may struggle to get 80 colleagues to back her. As has Dame Emily Thornberry MP and Lucy Powell MP.
Bridget Phillipson MP
- “As a proud working class-woman from the North-East, I have come from a tough council street all the way to Cabinet”
- Elected as the Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South in 2010. Became Secretary of State for Education in July 2024.
Lucy Powell MP
- “Living with my family in my home city, Manchester, has rooted my politics in an understanding of people’s everyday hopes and fears. These are the experiences our MPs and party members hear too. As our Deputy Leader, I would ensure these are at the heart of what we do and how we operate, bringing together all parts of the party and uniting our broad voter coalition.”
- Elected as the Member of Parliament for Manchester Central in 2012. Was previously Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.
Emily Thornberry MP
- “We fought hard for a Labour Government. But we’ve made mistakes and must listen. Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND."
- Elected as the Member of Parliament for Islington South and Finsbury in 2005. Has been Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee since September 2024.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
- “I am putting myself forward to stand as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. I look forward to explaining why, over three short and undemocratic days we have to do so.”
- Elected as the Member of Parliament for Streatham in 2019. Following boundary changes in 2024, she now represents the Clapham and Brixton Hill Constituency. She is the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Ghana and sits on the Home Affairs Committee.
Paula Barker MP
- Statement yet to be released.
- Elected as the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree in 2019. Currently a member of the Select Committee on Standards and the Select Committee on Privileges. She was previously a Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities and Local Government from 2022-2023.
Alison McGovern MP
- Statement yet to be released.
- Elected as a Member of Parliament in 2010, for Wirral South and since 2024, Birkenhead. Currently serves as the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. She was previously Minister of State for Employment.