In a video announcing her decision, she stressed the importance of electing a leader who is able to take a message of ‘hope and change’ to the country.

A vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn during his time as leader, Phillips’ departure from the race means that the remaining four candidates (Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry) will all have served in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. Ever since the defeat at the polls in 2019, Labour have been urged to avoid so-called ‘continuity candidates’ and move towards the political centre-ground in order to compete with Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party. 

The remaining contenders are: Sir Keir Starmer, the current favourite to win and the only male candidate, who has so far managed to command support from across a spectrum of opinion within the party; Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is viewed as the ‘continuity Corbyn’ candidate; Lisa Nandy MP, who is perceived as the ‘soft left’ candidate; and Emily Thornberry, who – like Phillips before her – has pitched herself as the charismatic candidate who Boris Johnson would most fear.

Labour members, who make up the majority of the electorate in the leadership contest, will be placing the candidates in order of preference. Consequently, Phillips has announced that Nandy is her first preference, with Sir Keir her second preference for leader.

The winner of the contest will be announced on 4th April. A race for the deputy leadership is also ongoing, following the resignation of the previous deputy leader, Tom Watson, in December.