Bridget Phillipson emerges as frontrunner for Labour’s deputy leader as six candidates join race

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has emerged as the early frontrunner in the race to replace Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader.

After days of speculation over who Sir Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate would be, Ms Phillipson is seen as the leadership’s choice and should easily be able to get the 80 nominations she needs from MPs.