DEVELOPING: Labour Deputy Leader Contest Heats Up as Bridget Phillipson Throws Her Hat in the Ring

Breaking News: Labour Deputy Leader Contest Heats Up as Bridget Phillipson Throws Her Hat in the Ring Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to be Labour's deputy leader, joining Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Dame Emily Thornberry and MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy. This marks a significant development in the leadership battle, with candidates now vying for support from at least 80 Labour MPs. The pair joins the growing list of contenders, with Lucy Powell expected to announce her candidacy soon. Candidates must secure nominations by Thursday evening to participate in the contest. The winner will be announced on October 25th. In a surprise move, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has thrown her hat into the ring, becoming the most senior figure to put her name forward so far. This development is likely to shake up the leadership battle, with Phillipson's experience and profile potentially giving her an edge in the contest. The Labour deputy leader contest has been heating up, with several MPs announcing their candidacy over the past few days. Candidates must now navigate a tight three-day window for securing MP nominations, which has raised concerns among some party members. This is a developing story, with further updates expected as more candidates announce their intentions and the nomination process unfolds. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*