Sir Keir Starmer will host the first meeting of his new-look cabinet today, as the race to replace Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader gets under way.
Left-wing MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy has become the first to throw her hat into the ring, after former transport secretary Louise Haigh – who resigned last November – ruled herself out.
Politics Hub: Follow latest ahead of PM’s cabinet meeting
Ms Haigh said she would prefer to stay on the backbenches where she can “speak plainly and campaign boldly”.
Ms Ribeiro-Addy has the backing of the Socialist Campaign Group (SCG), which met in Westminster on Monday night to coalesce around one candidate following criticism of the contest’s rules.
Hopefuls wishing to enter the race only have until Thursday to secure the backing of 80 of their colleagues, which some backbenchers perceived as a “stitch-up” to prevent MPs on the left from standing.
In a post on X last night, Ms Ribeiro-Addy said she looked forward to explaining her candidacy “over the three short and undemocratic days we have to do so”.
The Clapham and Brixton Hill MP has been backed by Richard Burgon, who said she “would ensure Labour members’ voices are heard at the top of our party – and not sidelined by yet more stitch-ups”.
Brian Leisham, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, echoed that praise, writing on X: “The party needs a strong voice from the left as deputy leader. Someone who will represent the politics and opinions of the rank and file grassroots members who want to see us govern by real Labour values.”
Ms Ribeiro-Addy was sacked as trade envoy for rebelling against the government over welfare cuts in July.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy. Pic: House of Commons
MPs keen for non-London candidates
Many Labour MPs have said they want a woman to take over from Ms Rayner, who resigned last week admitting to underpaying stamp duty on her second home.
However, they have also said they want someone from outside of London to counteract the number of MPs from the capital in government – including Sir Keir’s new deputy prime minister, David Lammy.
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This might also make things tricky for Dame Emily Thornberry, a fellow London MP who has been approaching colleagues about standing.
In a WhatsApp message seen by Sky News, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee said the government has made “too many mistakes” on issues like welfare reform and Gaza, and Number 10 “aren’t listening” to the concerns of backbenchers.
Emily Thornberry
But Patrick Hurley, the MP for Southport in Merseyside, told Sky News he would like a deputy leader who is “geographically closer to home”.
Lewis Atkinson, the MP for Sunderland Central, said on X that, given the geographical distribution of the current cabinet, he will also be looking to support “a non-London woman”.
Backbench MPs Callum Anderson and Connor Naismith have expressed a similar view, as have the likes of Labour peer Harriet Harman and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
‘We need strong voices pushing for renewal’
Northern female MPs being encouraged to stand include the former transport secretary Ms Haigh as well as former Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, who was sacked in the cabinet reshuffle last week.
Ms Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, is understood to be “taking soundings” after being approached by colleagues.
Ms Haigh, who was forced to resign after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a criminal offence, said she was “deeply grateful” for the encouragement she had received from colleagues but would not stand.
In a statement to Sky News, she said: “Labour was elected in 2024 to rebuild Britain – not simply to steady the ship, but to remake it completely.
“We need strong voices pushing for that renewal: on the economy, on workers’ rights, and on climate change. For me, that means remaining on the backbenches for now, where I can speak plainly and campaign boldly.”
Louise Haigh has ruled herself out
Could top ministers enter race?
The deputy leader of Labour is an elected position voted on by members.
Ms Rayner quit the role, along with her government positions as deputy prime minister and housing secretary, after she was found to have breached the ministerial code for failing to get correct tax advice.
It is not clear if a Starmer loyalist will put themselves forward.
Many cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Sky News understands Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, from Sunderland, is on the brink of entering the race.
Housing minister Alison McGovern, who represents Birkenhead near Liverpool, has also not ruled herself out.
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The rise and fall of Angela Rayner
Either of these could end up being Downing Street’s preferred choice and would also be popular among MPs who not only want a northern woman, but someone who will work constructively with government rather than oppose it.
However, if a minister enters the race and loses, that would be a huge blow to Sir Keir’s authority, as the result would widely be seen as a referendum on his leadership and policies.
As one backbench MP put it: “The question is who is willing to be humiliated on behalf of Keir Starmer, so far nobody.”
