Labour deputy race The battle to succeed Watson

Rebecca Long-bailey

The shadow business secretary is a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn and is believed to have been mentored by John Mcdonnell for a shot at the top job. Earlier this year she stood in at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Angela Rayner

Another loyalist, Ms Rayner is also seen as a “continuity” candidate should Mr Corbyn step aside. The shadow education secretary’s background as a school leaver at 16 and teenage mother has won her plaudits.

Laura Pidcock

Arguably seen as the most loyal of Mr Corbyn’s lieutenants, Ms Pidcock has emerged as the favourite to succeed him, at the age of just 32. Her place at the forefront of Labour’s plans for a ministry of employment rights has been seen as an attempt to prepare her for leadership.