The Labour frontbencher has confirmed today she intends to compete for the deputy leadership position. Rayner had initially been mooted as a potential leadership contender, but ruled herself out early on and threw her support behind Rebecca Long-Bailey (if and when the latter confirms she is running). Rayner immediately drew support from several MPs and looks likely to be the favourite. Voting begins in February with the final result announced on April 4. Parliamentary nominations open tomorrow for both leadership positions and close next week, so Long-Bailey had better get her skates on!
The field for deputy leader currently looks like this.
Richard Burgon
Dawn Butler
Khalid Mahmood
Angela Rayner
