Lucy Powell emerged victorious in the Labour Party’s deputy leadership election by advocating for a change in direction. Powell secured 87,407 votes from party members and affiliates, surpassing her opponent Bridget Phillipson, who received 73,536 votes. The voter turnout was low at 16.6%, with 160,993 votes cast out of 970,642 eligible voters.
Powell’s win highlights a lack of enthusiasm within the party for its current trajectory, posing a challenge for her to rally supporters. Previously removed from Sir Keir’s Cabinet, Powell has expressed her intention to remain vocal on the party’s direction by rejecting a return to a government role.
In a veiled critique of Labour’s response to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, Powell emphasized that imitating Reform’s strategies would not lead to success. She emphasized the need for Labour to reclaim the narrative and refocus on addressing the country’s economic disparities.
Following her victory, Powell emphasized the importance of reshaping the political discourse and tackling issues of inequality. In response, the Prime Minister congratulated Powell, acknowledging her as an outstanding choice for Deputy Leader. He expressed anticipation for continued collaboration to advance the changes sought by the British public.
Powell, who first entered Parliament as the MP for Manchester Central in 2012, becomes the fourth woman to hold the position of Labour Party’s deputy leader, joining a lineage of influential female leaders within the party.
In a separate development, Angela Rayner, the former Deputy PM, emphasized the significance of bold action in transforming lives, pledging to advocate for change with unwavering dedication. Rayner, who resigned from multiple positions due to a tax-related controversy, affirmed her commitment to upholding socialist values in her parliamentary duties.