Angela Rayner storms ahead in Labour deputy race with North support win

Angela Rayner stole a march on her rivals in the deputy Labour leadership race today by winning grassroots support across the North.

The shadow education secretary has 54 nominations from local Labour groups — almost double that of her four competitors combined.

Of the 27 groups in the North and Scotland that have nominated so far, she has won 20.

Shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler has 12 nominations from Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) across the UK, which are seen as an early indication of the views of local members.

Meanwhile, both shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon and Scotland’s sole Labour MP Ian Murray each have seven nominations.

Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan has four. She also has support from MPs including Slough’s Tan Dhesi who said Ms Rayner would be a “campaigning force” around the country that would unite the Labour movement.

Another backer, Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq, added: “We need someone who is committed to working hard for the party but will also unite us after our disastrous defeat in December. Angela is definitely the right person to do this.”

Yesterday, union Community backed Ms Rayner for deputy and Sir Keir Starmer as leader, further cementing their position as frontrunners to succeed Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson.

Both have guaranteed their place on the ballot paper after endorsements from major unions Unison and Usdaw.

Sir Keir was in Scotland today making the case for the UK under a federal structure in which more power is handed from Westminster to regional authorities. The final date for CLPs and affiliates to submit their nominations for leader and deputy is February 14.