Lucy Powell wins Labour deputy leadership election

"Lucy Powell has won Labour's deputy leadership election, beating her rival Bridget Phillipson. Powell, who was the Commons leader until she was sacked in Keir Starmer's reshuffle at the start of September, was seen as the favourite throughout the contest. The result was announced on Saturday morning after a vote that was widely seen as a referendum for Labour members on the direction of the party under Starmer. Phillipson, the education secretary, was seen as Downing Street's preferred candidate."

"Both candidates called for the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, a policy that caused a parliamentary rebellion within weeks of Labour taking office and is largely unpopular with members. The contest grew increasingly fractious over the last six weeks. Last weekend, Powell was described as the Momentum candidate and Phillipson gave an interview saying her rival would cost the party the election."

Lucy Powell won the Labour deputy leadership contest, defeating Bridget Phillipson. Powell had been Commons leader until being sacked in Keir Starmer's reshuffle in early September and was widely seen as the favourite. The vote was viewed by members as a referendum on the party's direction under Starmer. Phillipson was regarded as Downing Street's preferred candidate. Both candidates supported scrapping the two-child benefit cap. The campaign became fractious with accusations linking Powell to Momentum and warnings from Phillipson about electoral risk. Angela Rayner resigned over underpaid stamp duty; David Lammy was appointed deputy prime minister instead of the winner. Powell is associated with Andy Burnham and criticised a command-and-control culture while citing past policy mistakes such as the winter fuel allowance.

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