LABOUR’S DEPUTY LEADERSHIP ELECTION

As you will have seen, the Labour Party is currently electing a new deputy leader. I have spoken to or heard from the candidates, and today have submitted my nomination forms.

I am pleased to announce that I am backing Bridget Phillipson for deputy leader.

I wasn't fully decided until this morning but was impressed by Bridget's performance at last night's hustings for Labour MPs.

As Education Secretary over the past year, Bridget has rolled out free breakfast clubs in primary schools, cracked down on spiralling school uniform costs, and overhauled how Ofsted grades schools. As a new MP, I’ve been really impressed with how Bridget has always found time to talk to engage with me - especially when asking her tough questions like how we’re going to sort out the failed SEND system and talking about the state of school buildings such as Forest High School.

With a number of great candidates, this has been a difficult decision. I understood the arguments from other candidates, (agreed with lots of them), and was still deciding this morning but I have complete confidence that Bridget represents the best of us, and I’m proud to be supporting her for deputy leader.