Labour grandee Lord Blunkett has given his backing to Bridget Phillipson in the party’s deputy leadership race. Education Secretary Ms Phillipson has also been backed by former children’s commissioner for England Baroness Longfield. Labour’s Lord Blunkett has backed Bridget Phillipson (House of Lords/PA)Ms Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell are seeking the deputy leadership role vacated by Angela Rayner. Lord Blunkett, a former education secretary, said: “Bridget Phillipson is the right choice for deputy leader. We need someone with those qualities as our deputy leader.”Lucy Powell is Bridget Phillipson’s rival for the Labour deputy leadership (Lucy North/PAMs Phillipson said: “David Blunkett is a political giant.