UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lucy Powell leads Labour deputy leadership race by 17 points over Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, backed by Mayor Andy Burnham.
As reported by The Telegraph, a poll shows Lucy Powell, an ally of Andy Burnham, emerging as the favourite for the Labour deputy leader role.
What did Lucy Powell say about Labour’s ‘unforced errors’?
Lucy Powell holds a 17-point lead over Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, a LabourList poll shows. She earns support from Mayor Andy Burnham in an effort to strengthen her position in the Labour leadership.
Ms Powell warned Labour had made “too many unforced errors” since taking office, while reaffirming her loyalty to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
After Angela Rayner’s resignation, she was removed from her role as Leader of the Commons in Keir Starmer’s reshuffle.
In the opening Labour deputy leadership poll, Ms Powell leads with 47%, while Ms Phillipson trails at 30%, with 23% of members undecided.
Last weekend, both candidates avoided criticising Sir Keir during their campaigns, but Ms Powell warned against turning the contest into a “proxy” for the clash between the Manchester Mayor and the Prime Minister.
She said,
“A contest between two strong women is being turned into a proxy contest for two men. I think it’s, quite frankly, sexist.”
Ms Powell added,
“Woe betide anyone who wants to try and tell me that I’m subservient to some other man. I’m probably more alpha male than most men I know.”
How will Labour members vote for deputy leader?
The final two candidates must gain support from 5% of constituency Labour parties and secure backing from affiliated organisations, including at least two trade unions.
The deputy leadership candidates will go head-to-head at Labour’s annual conference later this month, ahead of a full party membership vote. Voting will run from October 8 to October 23, with the result announced on October 25.
How could Andy Burnham enter the Labour leadership race?
Andy Burnham must secure a parliamentary seat to formally enter the Labour leadership race.
Suspended MP Andrew Gwynne has reportedly applied to retire on medical grounds. His parliamentary seat would then be left open for a by-election.
Keir Starmer’s views on the Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson crises
Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing criticism from Labour MPs over his handling of Angela Rayner and Lord Mandelson scandals, threatening his attempt to reset his leadership.
The Prime Minister told MPs he would not resign over the Lord Mandelson scandal, even after admitting he was aware of emails between the US ambassador and Jeffrey Epstein before defending Mandelson in the Commons.
He blamed his team for failing to brief him, raising questions about his authority and who, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, knew about emails showing Lord Mandelson asking Epstein to seek early release.
The departure of another Number 10 aide linked to sexually explicit messages about Diane Abbott marked a fresh setback for the Prime Minister.
What did Rachael Maskell say about Number 10’s culture?
Rachael Maskell, a Labour MP suspended over welfare rebellion, said the aide’s sacking raised concerns about Downing Street’s culture.
She added, “There is something rotten in the culture which is festering around No 10” and demanded a probe into the messages.
What did the Foreign Office say about Peter Mandelson’s withdrawal as ambassador?
Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson from his role as UK ambassador to the US over links to Jeffrey Epstein.
A Foreign Office spokesperson stated,
“In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador.”
They added,
“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”