UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson joins Labour deputy leader race, pledging to unite the party and deliver opportunities for working people.
As reported by The Guardian, Bridget Phillipson has become the first cabinet minister to enter Labour’s deputy leadership contest.
What did Bridget Phillipson say about her Labour deputy leadership bid?
On Tuesday, the education secretary stated in a statement,
“Today I am putting myself forward as a candidate for the deputy leadership of the Labour party, to unite our great party and deliver for working people.”
She said,
“I am a proud working-class woman from the north-east. I have come from a single-parent family on a tough council street, all the way to the cabinet, determined to deliver better life chances for young people growing up in our country.”
Ms Phillipson stated,
“I’ve taken on powerful vested interests in the education sector – and even as they threw everything at me, I have never taken a backwards step. I will bring that same determination to every battle ahead of us.”
The education secretary said,
“Because make no mistake, we are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country. But not only am I ready for it, I’ve proven we can do it. I’ve shown we can beat Farage in the north-east, while staying true to the Labour party’s values of equality, fairness and social justice.”
She added,
“With me as deputy leader, we will beat them right across the country and unite to deliver the opportunity that working people across this great country deserve.”
Ms Phillipson has pledged to challenge Nigel Farage’s Reform UK as Labour trails his party by 10 points.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy’s pledge in the Labour deputy leadership contest
The first candidate in the Labour deputy leader contest, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, supports slavery reparations and a wealth tax.
The Clapham and Brixton Hill MP is a leading Labour Left figure. She regularly dissents from government positions on reparations, Gaza, and welfare.
During a Commons debate in 2023, she called on then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to apologise for Britain’s slavery and colonial past.
She reminded Mr Sunak that Labour MP Bernie Grant established the UK reparations movement and called for an apology for Africa before he died in 2000.
Ms Ribeiro-Addy stated,
“There has been no acknowledgement of the wealth that has been amassed or the fact that our country took out the largest loan it ever has to pay off the slave owners, and not the enslaved.”
She said,
“Will he do what Bernie Grant asked all those years ago, what I have asked, and what countless others have asked since, and offer a full and meaningful apology for our country’s role in slavery and colonialism, and commit to reparatory justice?”
Mr Sunak dismissed her demand, stressing the need for a society that is inclusive and tolerant of everyone.
In October, she insisted there should be a discussion on compensation, warning that ignoring it could be seen as disrespectful.
She joins a group of Labour MPs urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce a wealth tax in her second Budget on 26 November.
During an interview on Tuesday, Ms Ribeiro-Addy said,
“We are not good at out-Reforming Reform but we can do so much better at being Labour.”
She stated,
“Most people would agree that the most important thing is to make sure that Labour members have confidence in their deputy leader. To do that, we need to make sure that we’re having a conversation, not a coronation.”
When questioned about whether her views on Gaza and the economy align with Jeremy Corbyn’s party, she responded, “Why should we have to leave the party?”
Ms Ribeiro-Addy added, “I genuinely think there are loads of spaces in the party for views like ours and the majority of members agree with these issues.”
Wes Streeting’s views on Bridget Phillipson’s deputy leadership bid
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed support for Bridget Phillipson on Tuesday, while giving no formal endorsement.
He said,
“I think ideally it’s good if there’s gender balance in the top ticket, and we’ve certainly got some brilliant women putting their names forward.”
Mr Streeting stated,
“I suspect we will end up with a woman even if there are men putting their hat in the race. I’m only aware of women putting themselves forward so far.”
When asked about Ms Phillipson’s deputy leadership bid, he said he would be very favourable to her.
The health secretary said,
“I would want to hear the candidates set out their stalls before making a decision. I’ve known Bridget a long time. I think she’s a fantastic Education Secretary, a good colleague, a good friend, and would definitely be a great deputy leader if she was chosen.”
He added,
“There are other women in the race who would be great deputy leaders. I’m not endorsing anyone at the moment.”
Why did Angela Rayner resign as Deputy Prime Minister?
Angela Rayner resigned from the deputy PM role after facing pressure over the property tax error. She confirmed she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 flat amid ongoing scrutiny over her property dealings.
Ms Rayner admitted she underpaid tax and referred herself to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser. Experts say she could owe over £40,000.