Lucy Powell has been elected as the new Labour deputy leader in a closely contested race against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Powell secured 87,407 votes in the election, surpassing Phillipson’s 73,536 votes.
This victory for Powell comes after she was removed from the Cabinet during a reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation last month. It is seen as a signal from Labour members for a change in direction from Keir Starmer’s Government.
In her post-election statement, Powell emphasized the importance of unity and progress within the Labour Party. She called for a renewed focus on offering hope and delivering the significant change that the country is seeking.
A total of 970,642 eligible voters participated in the election, with 160,993 casting their votes, resulting in a 16.6% turnout. Powell pledged to be a supportive ally to the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need for the Labour Party to lead the narrative and address deep-rooted inequalities in society.
Prime Minister, in response, extended his congratulations to Powell, describing her as an outstanding Deputy leader. He expressed his commitment to working with Powell to advance the changes desired by the British people.
Powell, who has served as the MP for Manchester Central since 2012, is the fourth woman to be elected as Labour’s deputy leader, following in the footsteps of Margaret Beckett, Harriet Harman, and Angela Rayner.
Rayner, in her resignation speech, emphasized the importance of boldness in Labour’s approach and vowed to continue fighting for transformative change. She highlighted her unwavering commitment to socialist values despite stepping down from her leadership roles due to a tax-related issue.
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