Who is in the running to be the next Labour deputy leader?

"As someone from the backbenches who is nonetheless of cabinet-level heft, and who is seen as independent but not a recreational rebel, Thornberry is one of the more likely people to reach the nomination threshold. An MP since 2005, Thornberry was shadow attorney general for nearly three years only to be dumped from the frontbench by Keir Starmer after the general election. She has since become chair of the foreign affairs select committee."

"Yes, she's the education secretary, one of the few cabinet ministers to stay in the same job after last week's reshuffle prompted by Rayner's departure, and this could count against her if MPs want their deputy to be more of a voice for the rank and file. But in Phillipson's favour, she would in some ways be a like-for-like replacement for Rayner, representing a northern seat (Houghton and Sunderland South), and growing up in a council home in Washington, making it from a state school to Oxford University."

"Powell would bring a similar geographical balance to Phillipson, given her Manchester constituency, but also some of Thornberry's outsider status, having lost her job as leader of the Commons in last week's reshuffle. Her former job helped Powell make links with Labour MPs, and as someone on the party's soft left she would most likely be seen as sufficiently independent of Downing Street without panicking the team around Starmer."

Thornberry is a backbench MP with cabinet-level heft, seen as independent and likely to reach nomination; she served as shadow attorney general and now chairs the foreign affairs select committee. Thornberry's north London constituency adjoins the leader's seat, which may concern MPs seeking geographical spread. Phillipson remains education secretary, represents Houghton and Sunderland South, and rose from a council home to Oxford; she is generally well liked and seen as a dynamic minister despite criticism of her schools bill. Powell represents Manchester, lost her leader of the Commons role, and as a soft-left figure appears independent of Downing Street.

Read at www.theguardian.com