Lucy Powell has been elected as the new Labour deputy leader following a narrow victory over Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Powell, the former leader of the Commons, secured 87,407 votes in the election, defeating Phillipson who received 73,536 votes.
This win for Powell, who was dismissed from the Cabinet during the reshuffle that occurred after Angela Rayner’s resignation, is seen as a signal from Labour members for a change in direction from Keir Starmer’s Government. Powell emphasized the need for progressive politics to address rising division and discontent in the country.
A total of 970,642 voters were eligible to vote, with 160,993 casting their votes, resulting in a turnout of 16.6%. Powell urged her party to provide hope and enact the significant change desired by the nation.
In response, the Prime Minister congratulated Powell, describing her as an “incredible” Deputy leader and expressing readiness to work with her to advance the change supported by the British people.
Powell, who first became an MP for Manchester Central in 2012, becomes the fourth woman elected to the position of Labour deputy leader, following Margaret Beckett, Harriet Harman, and Angela Rayner.
In her resignation speech in the Commons, Rayner emphasized the importance of boldness in Labour’s approach and pledged to continue advocating for change with determination and commitment. Rayner stepped down from her roles as Housing Secretary, Deputy PM, and Labour’s deputy leader after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on her Hove property.