Lucy Powell Near Labour Deputy Leadership as Starmer Faces New Challenge

Lucy Powell's Rise and the Struggle for Labour's Future

Lucy Powell, a former Cabinet minister and a prominent figure on the left of the Labour Party, is on the verge of securing the position of deputy leader. This development marks a significant setback for Sir Keir Starmer, who has been navigating a challenging period in his leadership of the party. The results of the contest are expected to be announced on Saturday, with early polling indicating that Powell is leading her opponent, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, has been actively campaigning, highlighting what she sees as mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In her final message to supporters this week, she criticized the "command and control" culture within the government, arguing that blindly following along is a dereliction of duty to defeat the politics of hate and division. A victory for Powell would likely be interpreted as a rebuke to Starmer from Labour members, many of whom believe the party is heading in the wrong direction.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced a difficult week, marked by controversy surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry. Four women resigned from the victims and survivors panel due to concerns about how the government had handled the investigation so far. They expressed fears that expanding the inquiry’s scope beyond grooming gangs could weaken its impact. Additionally, the backgrounds of the proposed chair candidates raised alarms among the survivors, as both had ties to policing and social work—professions facing scrutiny over trust in the inquiry. Both candidates have since withdrawn from the process.

The PM's week ended with a loss in a Senedd by-election in Caerphilly, near Cardiff, where Plaid Cymru defeated Labour. This result saw a 27% swing from Labour, which had held the seat for a century. The loss has led to questions among backbenchers about Starmer's leadership.

Powell has emphasized her desire to help Starmer and the government succeed but has also called for changes in how the party operates. She believes the party must become more in touch with its movement, communities, and workplaces, and more principled and strategic in its approach.

Phillipson, seen as the preferred candidate by Number 10, has focused on unity, warning that voting for her opponent could lead to internal divisions. Her supporters have noted that some members of the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s faction are backing Powell. Luke Akehurst, the Durham MP, criticized Momentum, the pressure group founded by Corbyn supporters, after it urged its backers to vote for Powell. While Momentum did not fully endorse Powell, it advocated for a tactical vote after 74% of members supported the move in a ballot.

Momentum stated that without a "socialist candidate" on the slate, a victory for Powell would demonstrate the breadth of concern within the Labour Party and the labor movement about the government's direction. Akehurst, who supports Phillipson, expressed concerns that Powell may not share the same politics as the group, but he acknowledged the significance of their support.

Phillipson has the backing of unions like GMB and Unison, as well as former home secretary Alan Johnson. Powell, on the other hand, has the support of Lord Kinnock, who led the party from 1983 to 1992. She has warned against "trying to out-Reform Reform," referring to Starmer's new anti-migrant laws, and has called for clarity on the party's purpose and whose side it is on.

If Powell is named the winner on Saturday, it could trigger a fresh crisis and battle for the soul of the party just weeks before the Budget and at a time when it is struggling in the polls.

The deputy leadership contest was triggered after Angela Rayner resigned from her roles as Deputy PM, Housing Secretary, and deputy Labour leader last month. Her departure followed advice from the PM's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, who said she acted with integrity but breached the code by failing to seek further expert tax advice on her property purchase. In her resignation letter, Rayner accepted she did not meet the highest standards and took full responsibility for the error.

Internal Struggles and the Path Forward

As the race for deputy leader intensifies, the Labour Party finds itself at a crossroads. The contest between Powell and Phillipson reflects deeper tensions within the party, with differing visions for its future. Powell's grassroots support and left-wing credentials contrast with Phillipson's establishment backing and focus on unity. The outcome of this contest will not only shape the party's immediate direction but also influence its ability to address the challenges it faces in the polls and in the broader political landscape.

The upcoming results will be closely watched, as they could signal whether Labour is ready to embrace change or remain entrenched in its current path. With the party under pressure from multiple fronts, the next few weeks will be critical in determining its trajectory. Whether Powell can leverage her support to challenge Starmer's vision remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of Labour is far from over.