British Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson as the new Labour Party chair on July 28, 2026.
She will lead the party's strategic preparations for the next general election.
Phillipson replaces Anna Turley, who stepped down to take a ministerial post at the Home Office following last week's government reshuffle.
A Labour spokesperson confirmed that Phillipson will maintain her cabinet seat as minister for women and equalities while taking on party leadership duties alongside deputy leader Lucy Powell.
The leadership team, which includes chief whip Anneliese Midgley, aims to focus on digital campaigning tactics, organizational infrastructure, and policy platform development ahead of the next election, which must occur by 2029.
"She will play a vital role in ensuring the Labour Party is match fit for the next election," said Burnham.
He praised the appointment as part of his strategy to build a united political team that delivers for working people across the nation.
Phillipson lost a deputy leadership contest to Powell last year after receiving less than half the party membership vote following Angela Rayner's resignation.
In last week's broad cabinet shake-up, Powell took over the education portfolio previously managed by Phillipson.
"I joined our party as a teenager and saw first hand the difference a Labour government makes," said Phillipson.
The newly appointed chair highlighted her commitment to strengthening community ties and countering political division across British society.
"I'll work with members to build the election-winning machine that sees off Reform [UK] for good and secures a second Labour term," said Phillipson.
She emphasized her plan to integrate core party values into the government's daily agenda moving forward.
New Role and Government Agenda
"By uniting together, we will bring hope back to communities and strengthen British society against those working to divide us," said Phillipson.
Reflecting on government legislative goals, she noted that recent policy efforts aim to improve long-term public standards and fairness.
"With the change Labour in government is delivering and will deliver, we have the chance to write a new chapter for our country, one which brings justice, opportunity and fairness for working people, one which brings back hope that tomorrow can be better than today," said Phillipson.
Powell welcomed her former leadership rival to the new role, pointing to upcoming field operations and campaign coordination across local constituencies.
"Working together, we will ensure the party continues to lead the way in campaigning, with the strongest ground operation in British politics as we prepare for the next general election," said Powell.
During her tenure as education secretary, Phillipson advanced major reforms to special educational needs provision and implemented a 20 percent VAT policy on private school fees.
Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the tax policy, labeling Phillipson a "spiteful class warrior."
Phillipson later addressed the criticism in an interview regarding her work on child poverty initiatives.
"If being a spiteful class warrior means lifting half a million children out of poverty I'll be wearing that T-shirt with pride," said Phillipson.
