A Labour MP who put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to take “state-led action” on slavery repartitions has become the first candidate to officially enter the race to replace Angela Rayner as the party’s deputy leader.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who was sacked by Sir Keir as a trade envoy following this summer’s welfare revolt, penned a short message confirming her intention to run.
She said: “I am putting myself forward to stand as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
“I look forward to explaining why, over the three short and undemocratic days we have to do so.”
The Clapham & Brixton Hill MP, who is also a member of the hard-left Socialist Campaign Group, also echoed concerns from leading Corbynistas about the Labour leadership looking to stitch up the left by rushing through the process.
“There is a clear attempt underway to rush the deputy leadership contest,” Ms Ribeiro-Addy said.
“After the missteps of the past year, we need a proper debate about the future direction of our party; not a coronation.
“It must be a full and fair contest with a genuine Left candidate on the ballot paper.”
Bell Ribeiro Addy MP is the only other candidate so far | PAHowever, the privately educated life-long socialist was also among a group of MPs to put pressure on Sir Keir over the issue of reparations last year.
While Commonwealth countries demanded a slavery retribution bill to the tune of around £18trillion, the 40-year-old joined hardliners Diane Abbott and Clive Lewis in calling for action.
Speaking at a reparations conference in London, Ms Ribeiro-Addy argued it was “very insulting [to] tell people of African descent to forget and move forward”.
“Reparations are not about relitigating historic injustices, they are about remedying the deep-rooted inequalities that still shape our world today,” she added.
Sir Keir Starmer addressing attendees at the Scottish Labour Party conference | PA“At a time when there is growing awareness of how racial hierarchies that endure to this day were constituted to justify the enslavement and colonisation of African peoples, state-led action on reparations is sadly lacking.”
Ms Ribeiro-Addy has also landed herself in hot water with Sir Keir over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
After Vladimir Putin invaded the ex-Soviet state, Ribeiro-Addy and 10 other Labour MPs were threatened with losing the party whip after signing a statement by the Stop the War Committee.
The statement, which all 11 MPs subsequently removed their signatures from, questioned the legitimacy of Nato and accused the bloc of an "eastward expansion".
Bridget Phillipson could serve as a vital ally to the Prime Minister | PAFollowing the Clapham & Brixton Hill MP's candidacy declaration last night, Education Secretary Bridgett Phillipson and Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry have also entered the contest.
Ms Phillipson, who will address the Trade Union Congress in place of Sir Keir later today, is seen by some as a stalking horse for No10 as the Prime Minister prepares for a showdown with disgruntled MPs.
In her candidacy statement, Ms Phillipson said: "With me as deputy leader, we will beat them [Reform] right across the country and unite to deliver the opportunity that working people across this great country deserve."
Despite Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham being among those to call for a non-London female candidate to succeed Ms Rayner, Ms Thornberry remains optimistic about her bid.
Emily Thornberry is posing a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership on Gaza and wealth taxes
| PAIn her statement, Ms Thornberry appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at Sir Keir Starmer over "mistakes" made since his landslide victory last July.
She said: "I'm running for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. We fought hard for a Labour Government.
"But we've made mistakes and must listen. Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND. I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP, and our constituents - not just nod along."
Ms Thornberry had served as Sir Keir's Shadow Attorney General up until the 2024 General Election, before being sacked and replaced by the Prime Minister's pal Lord Hermer.