The dust is still settling from Angela Rayner’s dramatic resignation from government and the major cabinet reshuffle that followed.

But one hole left by her departure won’t be filled until towards the end of next month – and it has the potential to turn into a real headache for Sir Keir Starmer.

When Rayner stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary last Friday, she also left her job as deputy leader of the Labour Party.

It’s easy to mix up that role with DPM, but it’s all about internal party politics rather than anything on a national scale.

Still, the race to replace Rayner as deputy leader is worth keeping an eye on, as it could reveal how Labour and union members really think Starmer’s government is going.

Picking a critical voice to be his number two would send

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