Lucy Powell elected as Labour's new deputy leader in huge blow for Keir Starmer

Lucy Powell has been elected as Labour's new deputy leader, beating Bridget Phillipson in a tight contest. The election result is likely to spell trouble for Sir Keir Starmer as Ms Powell will be free to speak out against his Government's policies from the back benches rather than being bound by collective responsibility like her defeated deputy leadership rival, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Ms Powell was sacked from Sir Keir's Cabinet in September and has indicated she will refuse a return to a government role so she can speak more openly about the direction of the party in office. She has insisted she wants to "help Keir and our Government to succeed" but the party "must change how we are doing things to turn things around".

In a final message to supporters earlier this week she said Labour had to be "more in touch with our movement, and the communities and workplaces we represent, more principled and strategic, less tactical, and strongly guided by our values".

Launching her campaign last month, she posted on X: "I want this Labour Government to succeed, and sometimes that means having difficult conversations.

"When we listen to our communities and our members, we are stronger."

Reacting, Sir Keir said:

Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, said: "Huge congratulations to Lucy Powell on being elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. I look forward to continuing working with Lucy as my Labour Government continues to drive forwards the change the British people voted for last year.

"I know Lucy will be an incredible Deputy Leader and help our Party be election ready so that our Labour Government can continue delivering the change working people voted for last year.

"My Labour Government, and the entire Labour movement, will continue working at pace to deliver the patriotic renewal all corners of our country need - based on security, opportunity, and respect."

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However, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: "Weak Keir Starmer has had the candidate he didn't want and who he fired last month imposed on him by the Labour Party.

"He didn't have the backbone to stand up to Lucy Powell on welfare spending before, he won't have the backbone stand up to Lucy Powell now.

"That means more unfunded welfare spending like reversing the two-child cap and higher taxes this autumn to pay for it.

"The failure of the Keir Starmer candidate, Bridget Philipson, is another defeat of the Prime Minister's authority. Phillipson should now get back to reversing all the damage she has done to England's education system."

Ms Powel was elected with 87,407 votes (54%), beating Bridget Phillipson who got 73,536 (46%).

The total number of eligible voters was 970,642 - but just 160,993 ballots were cast, a turnout out 16.6%.