Lucy Powell Secures Deputy Leadership, Challenges Keir Starmer’s Policies

Lucy Powell has emerged victorious in the Labour Party’s deputy leadership election, securing 54 percent of the vote against her opponent, education secretary Bridget Phillipson, who garnered 46 percent. This result may present challenges for Labour leader Keir Starmer, as Powell’s position allows her to speak freely on party policies without the constraints of collective responsibility that bound Phillipson.

A Manchester Central MP, Powell previously served in Starmer’s cabinet but was dismissed in September 2023. She has indicated her intention to remain outside of a government role to express her views more candidly regarding the party’s direction. The election was prompted by the resignation of Angela Rayner, who stepped down after failing to pay the correct stamp duty on a property transaction.

Powell received 87,407 votes from Labour Party members and affiliates, while Phillipson received 73,536 votes. Voter turnout for the election was notably low at just 16.6 percent.

Calls for Change and New Direction

In her victory speech, Powell emphasized the need for Labour to offer “hope” and address the pressing need for change that she believes the country is demanding. “We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs,” she stated.

Powell criticized the current government for not being sufficiently bold in implementing promised changes. She specifically remarked on Labour’s strategy in relation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, asserting that the party would not succeed by attempting to outmaneuver Reform on its own terms. “We reject that,” Powell declared, referring to Farage’s narrative that immigration is the primary cause of the country’s challenges.

Instead, she argues for a broader progressive consensus, stating, “We won’t win by trying to out-Reform Reform, but by building a broad progressive consensus.” Her comments reflect a desire to reclaim the political narrative, suggesting that the party has allowed figures like Farage to dominate public discourse.

Implications for Starmer’s Leadership

Powell’s election follows a disappointing performance for Labour in a recent by-election in Caerphilly, a former stronghold in Wales, where the party faced significant losses to Plaid Cymru. In light of these events, Starmer has acknowledged the urgent need for renewal within the party.

“We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see,” Starmer stated, recognizing the challenges ahead. He referred to the by-election results as a wake-up call, indicating that the party must address the concerns of communities regarding public services and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Starmer’s commitment to renewal suggests that he will need to navigate the growing influence of Powell and her vision for Labour, especially as she prepares to voice her perspectives from the back benches. The dynamics within the party may shift as Powell takes on a more prominent role in advocating for change, potentially reshaping the landscape of Labour politics in the coming months.

As Labour prepares for the future, the impact of Lucy Powell’s leadership and her approach to party policy will be closely watched, both by party members and the wider public.