In a shock result, former Commons Leader Lucy Powell has toppled Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to bag Labour’s deputy leadership. The Manchester Central MP clinched 54% of the vote – 87,407 ballots – compared to Phillipson’s 73,536 (46%).
The turnout was woeful at just 16.6%, a massive drop from the 59% when Angela Rayner triumphed in 2020. Powell’s win strikes a heavy blow to Sir Keir Starmer amid rising tensions inside Labour.
Powell’s Win a Blow to Starmer’s Grip
Starmer’s preferred candidate, Phillipson, was widely expected to win, making Powell’s upset all the more uncomfortable for the PM and his circle. Powell had been sacked from her Cabinet role last month after Rayner quit in disgrace.
“We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs,” Powell told supporters. “People feel that this government is not being bold enough in delivering the kind of change we promised.”
Powell’s election clarifies the deep divides in Labour. She’s vowed to remain on the backbenches, steering clear of government roles – a stark contrast to previous deputy leaders who typically held ministerial posts.
Starmer Urges Unity After Caerphilly Disaster
Starmer stepped up to praise Powell as a “proud defender” of Labour values but didn’t shy away from the party’s woes. He acknowledged the seismic blow Labour suffered in Caerphilly, where the party lost a century-old seat to Plaid Cymru with a 27% swing.
“We need to see change and renewal in communities, opportunities for children, rebuilt public services, and a tackle on the cost of living crisis,” he said. “Renewal is the only answer to decline, grievance and division.”
The PM insisted Labour must unite to face the 2026 elections with a clear offer to voters across the UK.
Powell Targets Farage & Pledges Progressive Fightback
In her victory speech, Powell took aim at Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, condemning Labour’s failure to counter the right-wing insurgency effectively.
“We won’t win by trying to out-Reform Reform,” she said. “Let’s be honest, we’ve let Farage run away with it. He blames immigration for all the country’s problems. We reject that.”
Backing from Labour’s soft-left establishment flowed to Powell, with endorsements from Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy, and others. Powell is expected to push a more progressive platform ahead of crucial elections in Scotland, Wales, and England.
What’s Next for Powell and Labour?
- Powell will focus on party organisation and member engagement, acting as a voice for grassroots activists and backbench MPs.
- She praised predecessor Rayner and rival Phillipson for their contributions but made clear Labour needs bolder leadership.
- Unlike Rayner, Powell won’t become deputy prime minister; that role and others have been redistributed within the Cabinet.
With Powell now deputy leader, Labour’s internal battles are set to intensify as they prepare for showdown elections and fight to reclaim trust after a patchy start to Starmer’s premiership.
