While new department cars rock up at houses today to pick up new ministers giddy to get into government, other Labour MPs will have their minds elsewhere as another big race for a big role in the Labour Party gets under way.
After Angela Rayner’s sudden departure from the government for failing to pay enough stamp duty, she now leaves a hole at the top of the party as deputy leader – an elected position by the membership which means a full leadership contest will have to begin, and fast.
Politics latest: Home secretary rules out standing for deputy leader
Candidates will probably have to decide today whether they are going to put their names in the mix.
So, who could throw their hat into the ring?
David Lammy – the ‘makes sense’ candidate
This would be a neat little way to solve the problem for the government and an attempt to try to kick it back to the status quo.
Sir Keir Starmer appointed the former foreign secretary as deputy prime minister in the government during his reshuffle at the weekend, and if he won, he would effectively occupy the same role Ms Rayner had, being both the PM’s elected deputy, as well as the members’ choice.
He is London-born to Guyanese parents in Tottenham, where he is still an MP. He went on to be the first black Briton to attend Harvard Law School, and in a Tony Blair government he was seen as a rising star when he became a junior minister.
From the backbenches, he then became outspoken on issues around race and social justice, but since returning to the front bench, has softened his language around Trump, and he apologised for nominating Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader back in 2015. In 2016, he was commissioned to lead a review into racial disparities in the justice system.
Dame Emily Thornberry
The Foreign Affairs Committee chair has lived many lives. Born to an academic and teacher, she moved into a council house at seven years old when her parents…
