Angela Rayner joins Labour deputy leadership race
The shadow education secretary Angela Rayner has announced she will run to be Labour’s deputy leader.
Other Labour MPs that have declared their intention to run include Richard Burgon, Dawn Butler and Khalid Mahmood.
Launching her deputy leadership bid in Stockport, Rayner said: "The quick fix of a new leader will not be enough. We must rethink and renew our purpose and how we convince the people to share it.
"Either we face up to these new times or we become irrelevant. The next five years will be the fight of our lives."
It is not yet known whether she will try to keep her education post if she becomes Labour's new deputy leader.
Both the new leader and deputy leader will be announced on 4 April.
Latest News
05/02/2026 - 10:40
Schools are invited to take part in a practical, hands-on roundtable at Education Business LIVE 2026, exploring the complex relationship between wellbeing, attendance and behaviour in schools.
05/02/2026 - 10:04
A new report has show that Scottish primary schools are demonstrating strong language teaching and that rising numbers of senior pupils sitting language exams, but that structural barriers remain in secondary schools.
04/02/2026 - 10:15
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a report providing recommendations for healthy and nutritious food in schools around the world.
03/02/2026 - 10:48
Education Business LIVE on 26 March will be hosting a practitioner-focused roundtable led by Whole School SEND.
03/02/2026 - 10:38
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) and IMPOWER have announced a new partnership offering insight and practical support to local SEND systems at a critical point in SEND system reform.
