Emily Thornberry, member of parliament of the United Kingdom, is preparing to run for Labour’s deputy leadership, setting up a possible challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s authority.
Thornberry, who was left out of Starmer’s Cabinet despite serving as shadow attorney general in opposition, said the role needs someone with skills and experience.
She accused the Prime Minister of becoming isolated and failing to listen to MPs.
Her move follows Angela Rayner’s resignation on Friday after it emerged she had underpaid stamp duty on a house purchase.
Rayner also stepped down from her government roles, triggering a wide-open contest for her replacement.
On Sunday, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham suggested Louise Haigh or Lucy Powell as northern candidates to counter what he called Labour’s London focus.
Haigh, however, has faced controversy over a past fraud conviction.
Thornberry used an interview and social media posts to attack Starmer’s leadership, saying Labour is now on 20% in the polls despite last year’s landslide win.
She warned the party must prepare for a “fight against Farage.”
Several other names are being discussed as possible contenders, including Shabana Mahmood, the new Home Secretary, Dame Meg Hillier, and Rosena Allin-Khan, though she may struggle to secure enough MP nominations.
The deputy leadership is not chosen by Starmer but by Labour members, and while the role carries no government powers, it provides influence through the party’s national executive committee.
Burnham urged Starmer to adopt a more inclusive style, warning against punishing MPs who had pushed for changes on welfare. He said: “We need everybody pulling together, and the deputy leadership contest should reflect that.”
