THE National Executive Council of retail trade union Usdaw has today decided to nominate Bridget Phillipson for deputy leader of the Labour Party. Usdaw is the first trade union affiliated to the Labour Party to make a nomination. 

Usdaw members who pay the political levy will be individually balloted online from 6 October to noon on 23 October. Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP is the Secretary of State for Education and Labour Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South.

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “We are delighted to nominate Bridget Phillipson for the role of deputy leader of the Labour Party. Bridget’s journey from growing up in poverty to becoming Secretary of State for Education means she has the experience, commitment and compassion to support low-paid working families and be a strong voice in Government for our members and all workers. 

“We are very pleased that Bridget came to the Trades Union Congress last week to provide much-needed reassurances that Labour’s historic Employment Rights Bill will be delivered in full, as she said ‘no ifs – no buts’. That is exactly what our members wanted to hear and we are confident Bridget will pick up the baton from Angela Rayner to drive this crucial legislation through, to help make work pay, jobs more secure and bring greater fairness into workplaces. 

“Bridget’s record on delivery in childcare; since Labour took office has been exceptional and we very much welcome her commitment to go further. Usdaw members have long struggled to secure hours of work that fit around childcare. So, we welcome Bridget having already delivered the roll out of free breakfast clubs, new nurseries in primary schools and the doubling of free childcare to 30 hours a week.”

Bridget Phillipson MP said: “I am delighted to have the backing of Usdaw members to be the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. 

“Usdaw members form part of the backbone of our country and our economy – they want to see a united Labour Party that will change the country, beat Reform and deliver a second Labour term in office, not more division and disunity that will hand our opponents a crucial advantage. 

“I know that Usdaw members want to see more of the transformative policies that support children and families – with a mandate to more as Deputy Leader of the Labour party, that’s exactly what I will do.”