"Shabana Mahmood said she wanted to focus on her new job as home secretary, which began on Friday after Rayner's resignation as deputy prime minister and housing secretary over the underpayment of stamp duty on a second home. I'm the home secretary, so that is my job, and my top priority is securing our borders, Mahmood told Sky News in a pooled interview. I will not be running for deputy leader of the Labour party."
"In a fast-moving process where hopefuls have until Thursday afternoon to secure nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs, three women tipped as possible frontrunners have already removed themselves from contention. Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, and Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, are also not standing. While the reasons varied, at least one of the potential candidates cited worries about the pressure, as well as a possibly abrasive contest, and worries of a potential repeat of the scrutiny Rayner faced over her family and personal life."
A series of senior female Labour MPs have withdrawn from contention to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader, narrowing the field amid a compressed nominations timetable and concerns about a toxic atmosphere. Bridget Phillipson is expected to enter and would be perceived as a de facto Downing Street choice, while Emily Thornberry would position herself as a voice for backbenchers. Hopefuls have until Thursday afternoon to secure nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs. Shabana Mahmood, Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy have said they are not standing; Mahmood cited her new role as home secretary and border security as reasons. Thornberry chairs the Commons foreign affairs select committee and is popular with members, but faces hurdles related to the deputy prime minister role.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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