Lucy Powell has been elected as the new Labour deputy leader, narrowly defeating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in a contest. Powell secured 87,407 votes compared to Phillipson’s 73,536.
This victory for Powell, who was previously removed from the Cabinet following Angela Rayner’s resignation, is seen as a signal from Labour members for a change in direction from Keir Starmer’s Government.
In her acceptance speech, Powell emphasized the urgent need for progressive and mainstream politics to positively impact people’s lives. The election saw a turnout of 16.6% out of 970,642 eligible voters.
Powell called on her party to offer hope and deliver the significant change desired by the country. Responding to her win, the Prime Minister congratulated Powell and expressed confidence in her ability to be an outstanding Deputy Leader.
Powell, who was elected as the MP for Manchester Central in 2012, is the fourth woman in Labour’s history to hold the position of deputy leader, following Margaret Beckett, Harriet Harman, and Rayner. Rayner, in her resignation statement, reiterated the importance of boldness in Labour’s approach to effecting change in people’s lives.
Rayner had previously resigned from her positions as Housing Secretary and Deputy PM after admitting to underpaying stamp duty on her property in Hove. The PM’s ethics chief found that she had breached regulations by underpaying £40,000 in tax on her East Sussex property.