Phillipson vs Powell: The Running List Of Endorsements In Labour's Deputy Leadership Contest

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell (Alamy)

Powell, who was recently sacked as the leader of the Commons in September's reshuffle, has pledged to be a "strong, independent voice" as deputy leader. 

Phillipson, who is expected to continue in her role as Education Secretary if she is successful, is widely seen as No 10's choice for the role. She has warned that Labour must be united if it is to defeat the common enemy, Reform UK.

Last week, it was revealed that the two would go head-to-head in the contest, being the only individuals to receive enough Labour MP nominations to progress to the next stage. Phillipson received 175, while Powell secured 117.

As well as MPs, Phillipson and Powell will be seeking to receive endorsements from Labour-affiliated trade unions and organisations. 

Here is a list of all the major endorsements to date:

Bridget Phillipson

Politicians

• Pat McFadden - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
• Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland 
• Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
• Heidi Alexander - Secretary of State for Transport
• Steve Reed - Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government 
• Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasury 
• Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

• James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

• Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury

• Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary to the Treasury

• Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Department for Education)

• Sarah Jones - Minister for Policing and Crime (Home Office)

• Alex Norris - Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Home Office)

• Luke Pollard - Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Ministry of Defence)

• Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

• Alison McGovern - Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government)

• Karin Smyth - Minister of State for Health (Department of Health and Social Care)

• Sir Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Minister for Social Security and Disability)

• Dame Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

• Richard Parker - Mayor of the West Midlands
• Claire Ward - Mayor of the East Midlands
• Kim McGuinness - Mayor of the North East
• Oliver Coppard - Mayor of South Yorkshire
• David Skaith - Mayor of York and North Yorkshire

There several big names in the Cabinet who are yet to announce their endorsements, including Justice Secretary (and Deputy Prime Minister) David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Unions and groups

• Community Union
• Usdaw Union
• National Union of Miners (NUM)
• Labour Housing Group
• Musicians' Union
• GMB Union
• Unison

While Phillipson is the only candidate with Labour-affiliated trade union nominations so far, there are another nine still to announce who they are backing in the contest. 

Lucy Powell

Politicians

• Ed Miliband - Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
• Lisa Nandy - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
• Stephen Kinnock - Care Minister (Department of Health and Social Care)
• Matthew Pennycook - Housing and Planning Minister (Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government)

• Dame Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

• Andy Burnham - Mayor of Greater Manchester

Unions and groups

• CWU (Communication Workers Union)
• Disability Labour
• ASLEF

While Phillipson appears to have taken the lead among colleagues, a recent poll for LabourList showed that 47 per cent of Labour members backed Powell, with 30 per cent backing Phillipson.

To guarantee a place on the ballot paper, the pair must also get nominated in the second stage of the contest by either five per cent of local parties or three affiliates, including two trade unions.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, 25 October.

This article will be updated. The latest version is correct as of 25 September

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