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Despite promising to keep a low profile, Andy Burnham and rumours about his leadership ambitions have hogged much of the limelight at the Labour Party conference this week. It was easy to miss the actual contest taking place.

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell is running to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader of the party. She's standing against education secretary Bridget Phillipson who is widely seen as Keir Starmer's favoured candidate.

It comes after the MP and close friend of Mr Burnham was sacked by Sir Keir as the House of Commons leader as part of a reshuffle following Ms Rayner's resignation. The contest for deputy leadership has been billed as a proxy war between the Greater Manchester mayor and Prime Minister - something Ms Powell has dismissed as 'sexis

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