Deputy leader of the Labour party Angela Rayner speaks in Buckinghamshire, England, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.(AP Photo/Darren Staples, Pool)

Angela Rayner’s resignation from both Keir Starmer’s cabinet and as deputy Labour leader last Friday spectacularly upended the prime minister’s plans to reset his government.

Unveiling a shake-up of his No.10 operation last Monday, the prime minister said Labour was now entering “phase two” of its time in office.

Little did he know, however, that phase three was just four days away.

Rayner’s decision to quit after a probe found she had broken the ministerial code by not paying enough stamp duty when she bought a new flat forced Starmer to bring forward his reshuffle plans.

On a dramatic day in Westminster, the PM unleashed a wave of sackings and demotions as he re-shaped his top team.

But it was Rayner’s decision to stand down as deputy leader, a role which is elected by party members, which could prove to be the biggest headache for Starmer.

At a time when the government is trailing in the polls behind Reform UK and struggling to make headway on its core promises, it triggered a potentially divisive contest in which Labour’s internal rows will be aired in public.

How will it work?

Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Monday and set out the process and timeline.

The current expectation is that MP nominations will close at 5pm on Thursday.

Each candidate will need 80 backers (20% of MPs) and the support of three party affiliates, including two trade unions or 5% of constituency Labour parties, to progress to be nominated.

The candidates will be put to members in a ballot, which will almost certainly conclude after the party’s annual conference later this month.

It’s widely expected to be a women-led contest as MPs and unions want more gender equality at the top of the party (especially as Labour has never had a female leader).

It may well be a figure who can appeal to the left, just as Rayner did, although No.10 are expected to be unofficially championing someone less likely to be a thorn in Starmer’s side.

So, which MPs could be willing to enter the ring?

1. Dame Emily Thornberry

Emily Thornberry when she was shadow foreign secretary in 2019.

Once a........

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