Keir Starmer has been accused of trying to ‘fix’ the Labour deputy leadership contest in the wake of Angela Rayner‘s departure.
The party’s ruling NEC is meeting today to thrash out the process for deciding a successor to Ms Rayner.
But the leadership looks determined to force through a decision at high speed, potentially thwarting left-wingers mulling a bid.
Under the proposed timetable, hopefuls would need to get 80 nominations from MPs by 5pm on Thursday.
The candidates would then go to a ballot of members, with the winner named by the end of October. Downing Street is keen for the issue to be resolved well before the crucial Budget on November 26.
However, the blueprint has been condemned as the ‘mother of all stitch-ups’ and an effort to ‘dodge serious discussion’ on what is going wrong.
Keir Starmer has been accused of trying to ‘fix’ the Labour deputy leadership contest in the wake of Angela Rayner ‘s departure
Louise Haigh (left) and Lucy Powell (right) are both mulling a bid for the deputy leadership
Emily Thornberry confirmed yesterday that she is considering standing for the role
The Labour deputy leadership timetable has been condemned as the ‘mother of all stitch-ups’ and an effort to ‘dodge serious discussion’ on what is going wrong
Dawn Butler, another possible contender, said the Tube strike was hampering the process
Former Cabinet minister Liam Byrne called for a remobilising of the ‘Coalition of Decency’
Backbencher Richard Burgon said last night: ‘I’ve been warning about attempts to fix the Deputy Leadership election – and what I’ve heard is now being proposed is the mother of all stitch-ups.
‘Just a couple of days to secure MPs’ nominations! This is a desperate move to keep Labour members’ voices out of this race and to dodge serious discussion on what’s gone wrong over the last year – from the positions on disability benefits cuts, on winter fuel payments, on Gaza and more.
‘This outrageous timetable shows a leadership that’s unwilling to listen and to learn the lessons needed if we’re to rebuild support and stop Nigel Farage.’
The vacancy has opened following Ms Rayner’s resignation for breaching the ministerial code with her tax affairs.
Sir Keir has completed a dramatic government reshuffle distributing Ms Rayner’s Cabinet duties. David Lammy has become deputy PM, while Steve Reed is now in charge of the Ministry for Housing.
However, the premier still faces the Labour conference being dominated by manoeuvring for the separately-elected deputy leadership role.
Yesterday Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry became the first high-profile figure to announce she was thinking about a bid, swiping that Sir Keir need to stop making ‘mistakes’.
Former Commons Leader Lucy Powell and ex-Transport Secretary Louise Haigh are also believed to be considering their options.
New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has been tasked with tightening the Government’s grip on immigration, has not yet made a decision on whether to run.
Labour peer Baroness Harman said the new deputy leader ‘definitely needs to be a woman’ and from outside London.
The former minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I think that, in terms of extending the breadth of the leadership, it probably needs to be somebody from outside London and it definitely needs to be a woman.
‘I don’t think we can have a male Prime Minister, a man as deputy prime minister and a male deputy leader of the party.
‘We need somebody who is not a counterpoint to the leader, but is complementary to the leader, will broaden the reach of the leader and galvanise the party.’
Sir Keir is struggling to contain mounting concern about Labour’s performance in power.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – often tipped as a future leader – has expressed concern about the ‘balance of people’ left within Cabinet.
He said another voice from the north of England as deputy, such as former transport secretary Louise Haigh or ex-Commons leader Lucy Powell would help to counter what he called the ‘London-centricity’ under Sir Keir’s leadership.
Mr Burnham said the contest should be used as a discussion on the future of the party, telling the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: ‘I would like to see our MPs respected more.
The vacancy has opened following Ms Rayner’s resignation for breaching the ministerial code with her tax affairs
‘That is the debate we should be having during the deputy leadership contest.’
Defence Secretary John Healey rejected the suggestion the leadership should change its treatment of backbenchers, some of whom lost the whip earlier this year following a rebellion on the Government’s welfare bill.
‘I dispute that. Our focus has been on the public that elected us, the delivery that we’re charged to change their lives. It’s a big part of the job we all do,’ he said.
‘Our Government will miss Angela Rayner. She’s not been a victim. She’s been under a lot of pressure and Andy Burnham’s right about that.
‘But she’s been an inspiration to many, particularly working-class women.’
