Labour’s deputy leader is elected by the party’s members, which gives them a separate and independent mandate to that of the leader. Rayner was also deputy prime minister, but Sir Keir Starmer demonstrated that the Labour deputy leader wouldn’t automatically get a Cabinet spot by naming David Lammy as Deputy Prime Minister as well as Justice Secretary. I have great respect for Bridget, but on balance, with the deputy PM role now separate from the deputy leader – I believe it’s right to go all the way and have a deputy leader that is not in the Government,” he added. Deputy race to dominate Labour conferenceEducation Secretary Bridget Phillipson is up against Lucy Powell in the Labour deputy leader race (Photo: James Manning/PA)Powell told The i Paper she was “delighted” to have Vince’s support. Voting begins October 8 for Labour members and supporters, ends October 23; the new deputy leader is announced two days later.