Who could replace Angela Rayner as deputy Labour leader?

"Rayner, who was seen by many across the party as a future leader, dramatically quit her two government positions and the party's deputy leadership on Friday after the independent adviser on ministerial interests concluded she had breached the code by underpaying stamp duty on her seaside flat in Hove. The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne won the deputy leadership in 2020 within the same ballot that propelled Keir Starmer to succeed Jeremy Corbyn."

"This contest comes at a problematic time for Starmer. The prime minister promised a phase two reset of his administration this week, and polling has consistently polled against Labour over the summer. A YouGov tracker in August put Starmer's personal rating at 24% favourable and 68% unfavourable. Within Labour, a poll by Survation in August showed 64% of party members felt the party was heading in the wrong direction. The prime minister's net favourability with members had slipped to -9 points."

Angela Rayner resigned from both her roles as deputy prime minister and deputy Labour leader after an independent adviser on ministerial interests found she breached the code by underpaying stamp duty on her Hove flat. Rayner won the deputy leadership in 2020 in the same ballot that elevated Keir Starmer. Her departure forces a Labour deputy leadership election, while David Lammy has been appointed deputy prime minister and may not reflect the party vote. The contest arrives during a planned 'phase two' reset for the government and amid weak polling for Starmer and concerns among members about the party's direction. The NEC will set the contest timetable.

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