The race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader is in full swing with Rebecca Long-Bailey among the names tipped to replace him.
Senior Labour figures have given their backing to Ms Long-Bailey, with shadow chancellor John McDonnell hinting that he would back the shadow business secretary.
Mr McDonnell said the Stretford-born Ms Long-Bailey "could be a brilliant leader".
She is also seen as the choice for the top job among those in the Left wing of the party.
So who is Ms Long-Bailey? Here's all you need to know.
Born in Stretford, Greater Manchester in 1979, Ms Long-Bailey father's was a Salford docker and trade union representative and she grew up by Old Trafford football ground.
She began her working life serving at the counter of a pawn shop before working in call centres, a furniture factory, and as a postwoman before eventually studying to become a solicitor.
In 2015 Ms Long-Bailey was elected as MP for Salford and Eccles, and is often described as Mr McDonnell's protege. Describing herself as a "proud socialist" in her Twitter profile, Ms Long-Bailey has often stood in for Mr Corbyn in leadership debates.
Closely aligned with the outgoing Labour leader's policies, and a key voice in the party's plan for a green jobs revolution, Ms Long-Bailey has also served as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and serves on the party's ruling National Executive Committee.
Ms Long-Bailey has also received the support of shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon, but her close alliance with the left-wing of the party following last week's devastating election result may cause party members some nerves.
Labour's general secretary, Jennie Formby, reportedly wrote to the party's ruling National Executive Committee recommending the contest starts on January 7, with the view of having a new leader by the end of March.
Mr Corbyn had written in an open letter that "I take my responsibility" for the loss and apologised, but had come under fire for an unrepentant tone on the night of the defeat.
"I will make no bones about it. The result was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country," he wrote in the Sunday Mirror.
Mr Corbyn said he will stand down in the early part of next year after overseeing a "process of reflection" within the party.
