Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), has today signed off the rules and timetable for the Deputy Leadership election, due to conclude this autumn.
The contest will formally begin next week, with nominations from Labour MPs opening on Tuesday 9 September and hustings in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) scheduled the following day. Candidates will need the support of at least 20% of Commons Members — around 80 MPs — to secure a place on the ballot.
Once that threshold is met, candidates must also demonstrate wider backing, either by winning nominations from 5% of Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) or from three affiliates, at least two of which must be trade unions, together representing 5% of affiliated membership.
The freeze date for membership eligibility has been set for Monday 8 September. That means only members who joined the Party on or before 8 March 2025 will be entitled to vote, provided they are not in arrears. Affiliated supporters will also be eligible if they have six months continuous membership of their union or socialist society and are up to date with subs and, where applicable, opted into the political levy.
The full timetable runs as follows:
-
Monday 8 September – Freeze date for elector eligibility -
Tuesday 9 September – PLP nominations open -
Wednesday 10 September – PLP hustings -
Thursday 11 September (17:00) – PLP nominations close -
Friday 12 September (13:00) – Deadline for candidates to consent to nomination and submit statements -
Saturday 13 September – CLP and affiliate nominations open -
Saturday 27 September – CLP and affiliate nominations close; deadline to clear arrears -
Sunday 5 October – Deadline to resolve voter eligibility disputes -
Wednesday 8 October – Ballot opens -
Monday 20 October – Last date to reissue electronic ballots -
Thursday 23 October (12:00) – Ballot closes -
Saturday 25 October – Result announced
The election will be run using a preferential voting system. Members and affiliates will cast their votes electronically, with postal ballots issued to those without email addresses. If no candidate clears 50% in the first round, the lowest-placed contender will be eliminated and their preferences redistributed until a winner emerges.
The timetable means the result will be declared on Saturday 25 October, giving Labour a new Deputy Leader before the end of the month.
