There was already a vacancy for the Deputy Leader of the Party due to the death of Aneurin Bevan in July, and many senior party figures were weighing up whether to stand for that post; contested elections for vacant posts were usual, but incumbents were not normally challenged. The result of the faction-fighting was that many on the left thought Gaitskell was both out of touch with the party and that a challenge might force him to the left, so they were keen to have a credible challenger.
There was already an opening for the Deputy Party Leader due to Aneurin Bevan's passing in July, and many high-ranking party members were considering whether to run for that position; it was common for contested elections to occur when posts became vacant, but incumbents rarely faced challenges. The outcome of the factional struggle led some on the left to believe Gaitskell was both disconnected from the party and that a challenge might push him towards the left, making them eager for a credible opponent.