Middlesbrough & Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald has given his backing to Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP to be Labour’s next Deputy Leader describing his colleague as “a strong advocate for a bold and radical approach”. McDonald was one of the first to declare his support for a candidate and submitted his nomination forms backing Ribeiro-Addy on day one of the contest.
Six Labour MPs have announced their intention to stand for the role, the others being Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson, Paula Barker, Lucy Powell and Alison McGovern.
The MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East said: “Labour needs to agree what its purpose is and express that clearly to the country.
“With Bell, we have a strong advocate for a bold and radical approach to address the deep-seated issues that are impacting our country.
“I’m pleased to be supporting Bell and to have submitted my nomination for her to become the next Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
“Bell understands the concerns of the public and will give voice to them.”
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
In an article for The Guardian outlining why she was standing, Ribeiro-Addy wrote:
“Labour needs a radical change of course. That does not mean chasing after the far right. It means standing up for working people with clear policies that tackle inequality, protect our communities and put peace, justice and welfare at the heart of what we do. That is why I am standing: to make the case for Labour to get back to its roots.
“I voted for a ceasefire in Gaza. I opposed cuts to disability support and resisted attacks on civil liberties, including the proscription of Palestine Action. As deputy leader, I would ensure Labour members’ voices are heard at the top of our party, not pushed aside by undemocratic stitch-ups.”
Andy McDonald
Speaking on his wider aspirations of what he wants a Labour government to do for his constituency and the wider country, McDonald went on: “In my constituency, Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, the reality is stark. Too many of my constituents still live in poverty. Families wait months for temporary accommodation.
“Huge developments at Teesworks generate wealth – but not enough local people see the benefits. We waited eight years for a new secondary school. Our brilliant hospital is under-resourced and short of beds. Our railways, 200 years after they were born in this region, still lack electrification. Our buses fail to get people where they need to go. This is not just Middlesbrough’s story – it is Britain’s story.
“We should be talking instead about the issues that actually define people’s daily lives. Wages that don’t stretch far enough. Social security payments that have withered away. The insecurity of zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire. Council services stripped bare by a decade and a half of cuts.
“The lack of secure, affordable housing. Childcare that costs more than rent. Public transport that is expensive, unreliable, or simply non-existent. Schools and hospitals overstretched, crying out for funding and modernisation.
“To be fair, this government has made some positive moves. The public sector pay settlements helped bring an end to waves of industrial action. The Employment Rights Bill is a start in rebalancing the world of work. The Rail Passenger Ownership Bill opens the door to better, cheaper train services. The Renters’ Rights Bill will give tenants more security. The pledge of a new generation of affordable housing is welcome.
“But these steps are not enough. They do not yet match the scale of the task ahead – undoing 14 years of Conservative austerity and creating a fairer, greener, more secure future.
“So Labour must lift its sights. We need to be more transformative, not less.”
MPs will have until 5pm on Thursday to cast their nominations.
Constituency Labour Party (CLP) and affiliate nominations will open on Saturday 13 September and close Saturday 27 September.
A hustings for the candidates will take place at the Labour party conference. Ballots for all members and affiliated supporters will open on Wednesday 8 October and close on Thursday 23 October at noon. The winner will be declared on Saturday 25 October.
This article is based on ac media release from the office of Andy McDonald.
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