Before Labour’s National Executive Committee had even finalised the timetable to replace Angela Rayner as the party’s deputy leader on Monday lunchtime, candidates were hitting the phones.

They were gauging whether they had the support of the 80 colleagues in Parliament they need to launch a bid. It’s a contest that’s gearing up to be a verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, with allegiance a key dividing line. Two types of candidates are already presenting themselves: backbench disruptors and ministerial loyalists.

A frustrated party is letting off steam, tired of No 10’s refusal to take their concerns on board. Starmer will have to hope the lid doesn’t come off as he is forced to confront the scale of his own unpopularity – both in party and country.

By Tuesday morning, three

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