Meet the candidates: Bridget Phillipson

Labour only wins when we come together.

That’s why I want us to unite to deliver change, beat Reform and secure a second term of Labour government.

I know the difference Labour governments make. They took me from a council house in the northeast to the Cabinet. They offer opportunity and spread freedom, lifting children out of poverty.

It’s why I came into politics; it’s what I’ve done in power. From the Cabinet table I delivered free breakfast clubs by ending private schools’ tax breaks, revived Sure Start and secured free school meals for half a million more children.

Labour members want hope for the future, not division. It mired us in Opposition for fourteen long years; with the threat we face at next year’s local, Holyrood and Senedd elections, and the next General Election, we cannot hand our opponents the advantage.

The path to victory runs through all our regions and nations, towns and cities, countryside and coastlines. It means defeating parties who cannot bring change as well as those who don’t bring hope. That’s why I’ll continue Angela Rayner’s vital campaigning role, giving members from across our country a strong voice in Cabinet.

It’s time to make Labour members proud of our party, to feel proud knocking on doors and telling voters about the Labour policies we’re delivering. I want our movement to build. I’ll make sure we get on with delivering more, looking forward and outward, winning again and changing Britain for good.