I've seen Labour's cursed deputy leader role up close. It should finally be abolished | Richard Heller

<p>I worked for Denis Healey when he held the post, so I know just how useless it is – and how much better both the country and Labour would be without it</p><ul><li><p>Richard Heller is an author and former political adviser</p></li></ul><p>After the excitement of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/01/keir-starmer-shakes-up-no-10-operation-with-mini-reshuffle">Keir Starmer’s enforced reshuffle</a>, and the revelations that finally forced the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/11/keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-labour-risk">sacking of Peter Mandelson</a>, can voters withstand the drawn-out hysteria of a Labour deputy leadership campaign?</p><p>I don’t think so. No disrespect to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/10/bridget-phillipson-and-lucy-powell-set-for-two-horse-race-to-be-labour-deputy">two surviving aspirants</a>, Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, but Labour – for the nation’s welfare, for its own party interests and for those of the prospective future office holder – should take the chance to abolish the post and snuff out the campaign with it.</p><p>Richard Heller is an author and former political adviser</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/23/bridget-phillipson-lucy-powell-labour-deputy-leader-contest">Continue reading...</a>