Sam Francis<\/span>Political reporter <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said the party must pick a woman from outside London to replace Angela Rayner as the party’s deputy.<\/p>\n The party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) has set out a sped-up schedule for a deputy leadership race, shaping up to be a battle over the direction of the party.<\/p>\n Nominations open on Tuesday, with a winner announced on 25 October. To stand, candidates must have the backing of at least 80 MPs, and either 5% of local parties or three Labour affiliated groups.<\/p>\n Baroness Harman, who served as deputy to Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, said the party needed to pick a replacement who will “broaden the reach of the leader and galvanise the party”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Baroness Harman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme<\/a>: “I think that, in terms of extending the breadth of the leadership, it probably needs to be somebody from outside London and it definitely needs to be a woman.<\/p>\n “We need somebody who is not a counterpoint to the leader, but is complementary to the leader, will broaden the reach of the leader and galvanise the party.”<\/p>\n Baroness Harman told the BBC she was “dismayed and disappointed” that Rayner had left government.<\/p>\n This was “an election for the deputy leadership that nobody wanted”, she said – but given Labour were in power it was “right” to act fast to replace Rayner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The first hustings for MPs will be held on Wednesday, and contenders will have until 17:00 BST on Thursday to secure the support of at least 80 Labour MPs – 20% of the parliamentary party.<\/p>\n Those that fail to reach this first hurdle will be eliminated from the race.<\/p>\n Candidates must then secure either the support of at least three affiliates’ groups, including two unions, or 5% of local parties. Those who clear the bar face a vote by party membership.<\/p>\n From 13 September, local parties and groups affiliated to Labour will be able to announce who they are backing as candidates until 27 September.<\/p>\n The party is also planning a hustings at its annual conference at the end of September, with online participation promised to “maximise member engagement”.<\/p>\n Ballots will then open for members and affiliated supporters on 8 October and close on Thursday 23 October at noon, with the result announced on Saturday 25 October.<\/p>\n NEC member Abdi Duale said<\/a> the party wanted a process that was “as inclusive as possible” but warned that “a contest lasting six months to a year would be irresponsible, given the party’s finances and the need to focus on government priorities ahead of next year’s elections in Wales, Scotland and across England”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry became the first high-profile figure to announce she was thinking about a bid on Sunday.<\/p>\n Dame Emily was a shock omission from Sir Keir’s government, having been his shadow international trade secretary in opposition.<\/p>\n On Monday, former transport secretary Louise Haigh called for sweeping “economic reset” and reforms to Labour’s rigid fiscal rules in an article in the New Statesman<\/a>, but fell short of declaring a bid to become deputy leader. <\/p>\n![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/82ab\/live\/8a7bc150-8a48-11f0-94f4-77b666520245.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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