Thornberry and Barker Withdraw From Deputy Labour Leadership Race
Emily Thornberry and Paula Barker have both withdrawn from the Labour deputy leadership race after failing to gather enough MP nominations, setting the stage for a likely head-to-head between Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell. Thornberry, who had just 13 backers, said it was a “privilege to take part in this race with such brilliant women,” while Barker, on 14 nominations, threw her support behind Powell, urging that the next deputy must “not be afraid to bring those challenges to the government.”
Phillipson, currently the frontrunner with over 116 nominations, confirmed she had formally accepted her place in the race, declaring: “It’s time to unite our party and smash Reform.” Powell, who was just short of the 80-MP threshold before Barker stepped aside, is expected to clear the line easily. Bell Ribeiro-Addy remains in the contest but is seen as unlikely to progress, with only 15 nominations and growing concern over the restrictive nature of the contest.
The race, triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation over tax issues, comes at a sensitive moment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. With Labour’s annual conference looming, some see the contest as a test of the party's internal dynamics and direction.
