Deputy Leader Of The Labour Party (UK)
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is a senior politician in the British Labour Party. The post is currently held by Harriet Harman, who was elected deputy on 24 June 2007
Unlike other political party leaders, the Labour leader does not have the power to appoint or dismiss his or her deputy. The post is instead elected using the party's electoral college system; it was elected by Labour MPs before 1981.
Recently, the office of Deputy Prime Minister has been revived and held by senior politicians in the governing party. The previous Labour Deputy Leader, John Prescott, held this post from 1997 to 2007. However, the Deputy Leader is essentially a party official and there is no constitutional link between the two roles. The former Labour British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, announced on his formal election as Labour leader that the newly elected deputy leader, Harriet Harman, would instead become Party Chair. Brown subsequently appointed her Leader of the House of Commons in his first Cabinet.
To date, the only Deputy Leaders who have gone on to become the Leader of the Labour Party are Clement Attlee and Michael Foot. Conversely, John Robert Clynes served as Leader prior to becoming Deputy Leader.
Read more about Deputy Leader Of The Labour Party (UK): List of Deputy Leaders of The Labour Party
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