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PM warned of 'sod you' vote in contest to replace Angela Rayner
Two of the most important Labour-affiliated unions are set to nominate their choice for who should replace Angela Rayner as the party's deputy leader.
Unison and GMB will pick their candidate on 25 September - two days ahead of the deadline for nominations for Labour affiliates and local party branches. Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is seen as the government's choice of candidate in the race, which has effectively turned into a de facto confidence vote on Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.
She is up against Lucy Powell, who was sacked as Commons leader in the recent reshuffle and has become the candidate for MPs who are unhappy with the party's direction after a difficult first year in government. Ms Phillipson has already secured the backing of the two unions - Community and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.
Will unions want to say 'sod you' to PM? There are question marks over who Unison, GMB and Unite will back in the race, triggered by Ms Rayner quitting as deputy leader, deputy prime minister and housing secretary over underpaid stamp duty on a second home. While Ms Phillipson may be boosted by having the backing of Number 10, the level of discontent in the Labour Party and wider union movement is at such a level that Ms Powell's "outsider" status may benefit her.
One union source told Sky News that while they felt Ms Phillipson was the "better candidate.
Amir Nisi
Creative and experienced content writer with 6+ years of experience lazy to create unique content strategy for News5 to turn website visitors into customers.
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