Jess Phillips’ entry into the Labour race will spark a vigorous debate about the party’s future

There is a plank to her platform about which she is not forthcoming, but which is important: she is the candidate of a clean break with Corbynism

Jess Phillips’ nomination is largely made up of the remaining Blairite MPs inside the parliamentary Labour Party (PA)

Against expectations, the Labour leadership election offers an array of talented candidates espousing a wide range of views. The most surprising candidate so far has been Jess Phillips, who was interviewed by our political editor on Saturday.

Ms Phillips is not short of self-belief, declaring, “I am able to cut through to the public,” and boasting that her ability to persuade people that she is on their side is “magical in politics”.

Like Keir Starmer, the frontrunner, and Rebecca Long Bailey, the candidate favoured by Momentum, the grouping of Jeremy Corbyn supporters in the Labour Party, Ms Phillips has been an MP only since 2015. But Mr Starmer previously held a senior role in public service, as director of public prosecutions, before he became an MP, and he and Ms Long Bailey have both served for several years on the opposition front bench.