Angela Rayner elected deputy leader of the Labour party

New deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner

The Ashton-Under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party.

It follows a three-month contest to replace Jeremy Corbyn at the head of the party.

Kier Starmer won a decisive victory, polling 56% of the vote.  Whilst the voting for the deputy leader entered the third round, Angela Rayner was elected to the role with 52% of the votes cast.

In her winning statement, Mrs Rayner addressed the efforts of her local constituency and staff at Tameside Hospital and the Royal Oldham Hospital.

"My top priority will always be the people of Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth who it has been my pleasure and privilege to serve for the past five years. Getting elected as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne is the greatest honour of my life and I will always fight to get the best deal for the area that I love.

“The way our communities have pulled together to help and support each other during the coronavirus outbreak has made me so proud and even more certain that this is the best place to raise my sons.

“I would like to thank the dedicated staff at Tameside and Oldham Councils for their incredible efforts to keep vital services running at this difficult time under immense pressure.

“I would also like to thank each and every key worker - from those on the NHS frontline at Tameside Hospital and the Royal Oldham Hospital to the supermarket staff keeping us fed and the school staff looking after the children whose parents are needed elsewhere to the foodbank volunteers making sure our most vulnerable residents are cared for – you are all playing a vital part in the nation’s fight against this global pandemic.”

It's not clear if Mrs Rayner will continue with the Education brief on the shadow front bench.

Angela Rayner's acceptance statement in full:

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