Bridget Phillipson has sent her first message to Labour members since being appointed Chair of the Labour Party, promising to build an “election-winning machine” capable of defeating Reform UK and securing a second term of Labour government.
The MP for Houghton and Sunderland South succeeds Anna Turley, who recently joined the Home Office ministerial team. Ms Phillipson will combine the party role with her Cabinet position as Minister for Women and Equalities. Her appointment was made by Labour leader and Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
In her first email to members as Party Chair, Ms Phillipson paid tribute to Ms Turley, describing her predecessor as an “absolute powerhouse”.
She also reflected on her own political journey, having joined Labour as a teenager in the North East during the 1990s.
Bridget Phillipson wrote:
“I joined Labour as a teenager in the North East in the 1990s, having watched the Conservatives wreck my community – industries closed, crime on the rise, opportunities limited.
“In time, I saw first hand the difference a Labour government can make – more money in the pockets of working people, life-changing healthcare, broader horizons for children no matter their background. Our party is the greatest movement for social justice our country has ever known.”
Ms Phillipson, who has represented Houghton and Sunderland South since 2010, said she had worked throughout her political career to secure Labour victories as a member, volunteer, MP and Cabinet minister.
Turning to the political challenge facing the party, she warned that Labour now faced “the fight of our lives” against a resurgent hard right seeking to reverse progress towards an open and tolerant society.
However, she argued that Labour was beginning to build a renewed sense of unity and purpose under Mr Burnham’s leadership.
“Under the leadership of Andy Burnham, we are pulling together to build a new national sense of unity, common purpose and positivity.
“We’ll defeat the forces of hate and division by offering hope and by governing boldly, confidently and authentically as Labour.”
Setting out her priorities as Chair, Ms Phillipson promised to work closely with members and ensure that the values and voices of the wider Labour movement influence the direction of the government.
“For my part, I want to work with members to put our Labour values and the voices of our movement at the heart of government.
“Together, we will build the election-winning machine that beats Reform, sees off their divisive politics for good and secures a second term of Labour government.”
Her first message also placed the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election at the centre of Labour’s immediate campaigning efforts. With only two days remaining before polling day, Ms Phillipson urged members to contribute to the party’s final push and help it reach more voters across the region.
She described the contest as “the largest by-election in British history” and said a strong Labour result would deliver a clear rejection of Reform UK’s politics.
Concluding her message, Ms Phillipson said Labour had an opportunity to write a new chapter for Britain based on “justice, opportunity and fairness for working people”.
She also promised to speak directly with party members about the challenges ahead, with details of her first conversation with the membership expected to be announced shortly.
