Lucy Powell emerged victorious in the Labour Party’s deputy leadership election, advocating for a change in direction. She secured 87,407 votes from party members and affiliates, surpassing her competitor Bridget Phillipson who received 73,536 votes. Despite a total of 970,642 eligible voters, only 160,993 votes were cast, resulting in a turnout of 16.6%, indicating a lack of enthusiasm for the current party trajectory.
Following her dismissal from Sir Keir’s Cabinet in September, Powell expressed her intention to focus on voicing her opinions on the party’s direction rather than seeking a government role. Criticizing Labour’s approach towards Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, she emphasized the need for a different strategy to win over voters.
In her post-election speech, Powell emphasized the importance of reclaiming the political narrative and reshaping the agenda away from divisive rhetoric. Prime Minister extended his congratulations, praising Powell as an exceptional Deputy Leader and expressing readiness to collaborate further for the change envisioned by the British public.
Powell, who has represented Manchester Central since 2012, becomes the fourth woman to be elected as the Labour Party’s deputy leader, following in the footsteps of Margaret Beckett, Harriet Harman, and Angela Rayner. Rayner, who resigned from her positions last month due to tax discrepancies, reiterated her commitment to advocating for bold changes and socialist values in her parliamentary work despite the challenges she faced.