DEVELOPING: Labour Deputy Leader Contest Heats Up as Bridget Phillipson Enters Fray

Breaking News: Labour Deputy Leader Contest Heats Up as Bridget Phillipson Enters Fray Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to become Labour's deputy leader, joining Bell Ribeiro-Addy as a declared candidate. This move comes just hours after the nomination deadline for candidates. Phillipson's entry into the race marks a significant development in the contest, which is set to replace Angela Rayner in the role. The Education Secretary has secured the backing of at least 80 Labour MPs, meeting one of the key requirements to participate in the contest. The Labour deputy leader election is expected to be a closely contested affair, with several other potential candidates considering their entries. Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is reportedly weighing her options, while Rosena Allin-Khan has ruled herself out of contention. Candidates must now secure backing from either five local parties or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. Those who clear this hurdle will face a vote by party members, with the winner announced on October 25th. This is a developing story and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*