Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Bridget Phillipson as the new Labour Party chair, Tasked with modernizing the party's operations and campaigning strategies in preparation for the next general election. Phillipson, who also serves as the minister for women and equalities, will collaborate closely with Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell on these efforts.
Phillipson's appointment signals a strategic focus on adapting to a new digital campaigning environment. "She will play a vital role in ensuring the Labour Party is match fit for the next election," Burnham stated in the announcement. Her new role comes after she previously served as education secretary under Sir Keir Starmer. That position, however, was transferred to Powell when Burnham formed his cabinet last week.
Phillipson's predecessor as party chair was Anna Turley, who was recently appointed to a ministerial role in the Home Office. The leadership team, which includes Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley, is expected to concentrate on fostering cultural change within the party and developing the necessary infrastructure and policy framework to be competitive by 2029, the latest possible date for the next general election.
Expressing her enthusiasm on X, Phillipson stated, "I joined our party as a teenager and saw first hand the difference a Labour government makes. I'll work with members to build the election-winning machine that sees off Reform [UK] for good and secures a second Labour term."
Deputy Leader Lucy Powell welcomed the appointment, remarking, "Working together, we will ensure the party continues to lead the way in campaigning, with the strongest ground operation in British politics as we prepare for the next general election."
Phillipson and Powell were previously contenders for the deputy leader position last year, a race that followed Angela Rayner's resignation. Powell ultimately won that contest, securing 54% of the party membership's vote.