Labour body meet to plan race to replace Rayner as deputy

"Sam FrancisPolitical reporter Reuters Labour's ruling body is due to meet to draw up plans for a deputy leadership election to replace Angela Rayner, who resigned last week after admitting to underpaying stamp duty. The party's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) will hold talks on Monday to set the timetable and rules for the contest, which is shaping up to be a major battle over the direction the Labour party takes."

"Rayner's resignation led to a major government reshuffle over the weekend, as Sir Keir Starmer reshaped his top team. In previous deputy leadership elections, Labour members, unions and MPs have had a say in the outcome but the NEC may decided to revisit the rules in an effort to speed up the contest. Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry became the first high-profile figure to announce she was thinking about a bid on Sunday."

The Labour Party's National Executive Committee will meet to set the timetable and rules for a deputy leadership election to replace Angela Rayner. The NEC may revisit previous voting arrangements for members, unions and MPs to speed up the contest. Dame Emily Thornberry signalled she is contemplating a bid, after being omitted from Sir Keir Starmer's reshaped top team. Andy Burnham called for debate on internal management and for a northern voice in the Cabinet, suggesting Louise Haigh or Lucy Powell as balancing figures. Rayner resigned after an investigation found she breached the ministerial code by underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty; the reshuffle promoted David Lammy and Steve Reed and made Yvette Cooper foreign secretary.

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