Who Might Run To Replace Angela Rayner As Labour's Deputy Leader?

Deputy leader of the Labour party Angela Rayner speaks in Buckinghamshire, England, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.(AP Photo/Darren Staples, Pool)Angela Rayner’s resignation from both Keir Starmer’s cabinet and as deputy Labour leader last Friday spectacularly upended the prime minister’s plans to reset his government.Unveiling a shake-up of his No.10 operation last Monday, the prime minister said Labour was now entering “phase two” of its time in office.Little did he know, however, that phase three was just four days away.Rayner’s decision to quit after a probe found she had broken the ministerial code by not paying enough stamp duty when she bought a new flat forced Starmer to bring forward his reshuffle plans.On a dramatic day in Westminster, the PM unleashed a wave of sackings and demotions as he re-shaped his top team.But it was Rayner’s decision to stand down as deputy leader, a role which is elected by party members, which could prove to be the biggest headache for Starmer.At a time when the government is trailing in the polls behind Reform UK and struggling to make headway on its core promises, it triggered a potentially divisive contest in which Labour’s internal rows will be aired in public.How will it work?Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday and set out the process and timeline.The current expectation is that MP nominations will close at 5pm on Thursday.Each candidate will need 80 backers (20% of MPs) and the support of three party affiliates, including two trade unions or 5% of constituency Labour parties, to progress to be nominated.The candidates will be put to members in a ballot, which will almost certainly conclude after the party’s annual conference later this month.It’s widely expected to be a women-led contest as MPs and unions want more gender equality at the top of the party (especially as Labour has never had a female leader).It may well be a figure who can appeal to the left, just as Rayner did, although No.10 are expected to be unofficially championing someone less likely to be a thorn in Starmer’s side.So, which MPs could be willing to enter the ring?1. Dame Emily ThornberryEmily Thornberry when she was shadow foreign secretary in 2019.Once a key member of Starmer’s shadow cabinet, Thornberry was surprisingly snubbed last year when the newly-elected prime minister chose not to give her any kind of ministerial role.The veteran MP has since focused on her new position as the head of the foreign affairs select committee, although she became the first senior figure to confirm she is thinking about running for the deputy role.She told the BBC: “I’m thinking about it … it’s really a question of what can I bring to it.”2. Anneliese DoddsAnother person who was once by Starmer’s side but could now be ready to embrace more vocal criticism of the government is former party chair Dodds.She quit as international development minister in February over the prime minister’s decision to slash foreign aid in order to boost defence spending.3. Lucy PowellFormer leader of the house of Commons, Lucy Powell.Until last week, Powell was the leader of the House of Commons and part of Starmer’s senior team.She was surprisingly sacked from during Friday’s reshuffle, and is known to be angry at the way she has been treated by the PM.It came a few months after she had to apologise for describing concerns over grooming gangs as a “dog whistle” during a heated debate on BBC Radio 4.4. Sarah OwenThe Luton North MP held a number of shadow ministerial roles when Labour was in opposition, and is chair of the women and equalities committee.With strong union links as a former GMB political officer, she also opposed the government’s planned welfare cuts and was part of the backbench rebellion which ended up with the government dropping its plans.5. Rosena Allin-KhanAllin-Khan, a former shadow minister who resigned over Labour’s NHS policies in 2023, came second in the last deputy leadership contest and is already being encouraged to enter the race again.She was appointed to be the UK’s trade envoy to South Africa, but she was sacked in July for “repeated breaches of party discipline”.Unlikely to be a favourite of No.10′s, she is known for attacking the government over its Gaza policies and welfare reforms – meaning she might well appeal to those on the left.6. Louise HaighThe former transport secretary was the youngest ever female cabinet minister to be appointed last year, but she then had to quit over a historic fraud conviction.The soft-left candidate might be considering a comeback just nine months later – especially after penning an article for the New Statesman calling for an “economic reset” and a “decisive break with the fiscal rules” over the weekend.But, allies told PoliticsHome that it’s too soon for such a return to the public eye.7. Lisa NandyAs the culture secretary, Nandy emerged completely unscathed from Friday’s reshuffle despite long-running briefings against her and her performance in the job.She is another figure who could appeal to the soft-left, although having a cabinet role could prevent her from taking on more responsibility.8. Bridget PhillipsonThe education secretary and minister for women and equalities could be in the running too. Like Nandy, she stayed in place after last week’s reshuffle contrary to speculation that her place in cabinet was at risk.Phillipson has made waves in the education sector since taking over by championing the decision to lift VAT exemption on private schools, which would appeal to the soft-left.But she also drew some criticism after telling trans women not to use women’s toilets following a key Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.9. Miatta FahnbullehThe MP for Peckham was only elected last July, but was immediately appointed energy minister and has regularly been sent out onto the airwaves to represent the government.She appointed as a junior minister at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government last week – and might just have her eye on the deputy role.10. Alison McGovernThe MP for Birkenhead is another minister who is said to be considering a bid.She was first elected in 2010, and became employment minister following Labour’s election victory last year. At last week’s reshuffle, she was moved to become minister of state for local government and devolution.Is that it?Nope. There’s a huge field of candidates who are considering putting themselves forward, these are just the frontrunners.Starmer’s top team in No.10 are allegedly thinking about unofficially putting forward a non-cabinet candidate, and that’s before we even touch on the possible male candidates like new justice secretary David Lammy who might try to overcome the expectations for a female replacement.Only one thing is for sure – this internal battle means the prime minister’s plan to turn over a new leaf is firmly out the window.Related...Keir Starmer Swings The Axe In Major Cabinet Reshuffle After Rayner ResignationKeir Starmer's Plans For 'Phase Two' Of His Government Left In Tatters By Rayner ScandalAngela Rayner Quits Cabinet After Probe Into Stamp Duty Row

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