Labour shake-up: Lucy Powell’s rise as deputy leader sparks new tensions for Keir Starmer

Labour’s internal politics took a decisive turn today as Lucy Powell emerged victorious in the party’s deputy leadership contest, narrowly defeating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with 54% of the vote. The announcement, delivered during a subdued event in London, has already begun reshaping the political conversation around Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership and the party’s readiness for next year’s elections.

No journalists were allowed inside the announcement venue, a decision that has drawn mild criticism from the press corps. Starmer, who left immediately after the event without addressing reporters, appeared eager to contain what has been described as a “low-key” moment for a party struggling to regain its footing after a bruising by-election loss in Wales.

A Quiet Victory Amid Growing Noise

The turnout for the deputy leadership race was strikingly low — just 16.6%, compared to nearly 60% in the last contest. Powell’s win, while clear, lacked the resounding energy some within the party hoped for. Yet, her speech struck a tone of unity and defiance, calling on Labour to reclaim its “boldness” and fight the spread of division and disillusionment across Britain.

“This is a huge privilege,” Powell said, pledging to work daily to restore faith in Labour’s promise of progress. “Division and hate are on the rise… We must offer hope and deliver the big change this country is crying out for.”

She paid tribute to her rivals, praising Bridget Phillipson for her “dedication and real Labour values,” and acknowledged Angela Rayner, her predecessor, for “doing so much for this party and this country.”

Starmer Faces Renewed Pressure

Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Powell, calling her a “proud defender of Labour values,” but his brief remarks did little to dispel the impression of unease surrounding his leadership. “The party has spoken,” he said, urging members to unite in defence of British values like decency, compassion, and optimism.

However, reactions from rival parties were swift and scathing. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused Starmer of lacking the “backbone” to stand up to Powell, claiming she had been “imposed” on him by Labour’s membership. “This means more unfunded welfare spending and higher taxes this autumn,” he argued.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged Labour to focus on real change rather than “internal factional battles,” and Nigel Farage of Reform UK mocked Labour’s low turnout, asking, “How many members do they actually have?”

The Powell Factor: A Political Life Shaped by Manchester

Lucy Powell’s journey to the top of Labour’s ranks has been decades in the making. Born in Manchester on the day of the 1974 general election, Powell’s political story began almost literally with a vote. After working for the pro-EU campaign group Britain in Europe and later helping Ed Miliband secure Labour’s leadership in 2010, she entered Parliament in 2012 representing Manchester Central.

Her long record in frontbench roles and more recent post as Leader of the House of Commons cemented her as one of the party’s most experienced figures. Though she was dismissed in Starmer’s September reshuffle, Powell’s comeback reflects both her resilience and her enduring support among grassroots members.

Challenges Ahead

Powell’s election comes at a turbulent moment. Labour’s defeat in the Caerphilly by-election, which ended a century of dominance in that Welsh constituency, has been a sobering reminder of the party’s vulnerabilities. Powell has vowed to “get working today,” focusing on local campaigns and upcoming elections in London and across the country.

For Starmer, the task now is to manage a deputy leader who is both an ally and an independent voice unafraid to challenge party orthodoxy. As one political analyst put it, “If that’s how she speaks as a friend, imagine what she’d say as a critic.”

FAQ

Q1: Who is Lucy Powell?
Lucy Powell is a British Labour politician representing Manchester Central. She has held several shadow cabinet positions and was formerly Leader of the House of Commons before being elected deputy leader of the Labour Party in 2025.

Q2: What percentage of votes did she win?
Powell secured 54% of the votes, defeating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who received 46%.

Q3: Why is her victory significant?
Her election signals a shift in Labour’s internal dynamics and poses new challenges for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, especially as the party faces criticism over strategy and recent electoral setbacks.

Q4: What were the reactions from other parties?
Conservatives accused Starmer of weakness, while the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK criticised Labour’s low turnout and internal divisions.