Bridget Phillipson cautions that fractured political parties are unlikely to succeed in elections as dissatisfaction grows among members of the Labour Party.
As a contender for the deputy leader position, Phillipson aims to unify the party and challenge Reform UK. She pledges to amplify the voices of party members within the Cabinet.
Competing against Lucy Powell, who was recently removed from Keir Starmer’s Cabinet, Phillipson emphasizes the importance of unity for electoral victory across regions and demographics. She highlights the risk of handing an advantage to Reform UK and Nigel Farage in forthcoming elections.
Phillipson commits to maintaining Angela Rayner’s active role in campaigning as deputy leader and stresses the need to avoid past divisions within the Labour Party. She emphasizes the importance of offering hope and a positive vision for the future to garner electoral success.
Amid mounting frustrations within the Labour Party over governmental decisions and the dismissal of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to Washington, Phillipson’s bid for deputy leader gains momentum. Concerns have been raised regarding the handling of communications between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein before his dismissal.
Olivia Blake, a Labour backbencher, expressed embarrassment over the delayed communication of critical information to the Prime Minister regarding the Epstein emails. She criticized the lack of transparency within the No10 operation.
In a bid to replace Angela Rayner, Lucy Powell advocates for a shift in culture within Downing Street, calling for inclusive decision-making processes and increased transparency.
Rumors suggest that Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is positioning himself for a potential leadership challenge if Keir Starmer falters. However, a close associate of Burnham dismissed these speculations as baseless.
Harriet Harman, a Labour veteran and former deputy leader, urges against turning the deputy leader contest into a proxy battle between the Prime Minister and Burnham. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the capabilities and qualities of the female candidates rather than making it about the men involved.
