Seven weeks ago, Angela Rayner resigned as the deputy leader of the Labour Party, leading to an unwanted contest within the party. The announcement of her successor is set to take place at Labour’s headquarters this morning, with Shabana Mahmood, the chair of the National Executive Committee (NEC), scheduled to reveal the winner at 10 am.
While there will be no elaborate members’ conference to celebrate the occasion, the winning candidate will have the opportunity to deliver a brief speech. Keir Starmer is expected to offer congratulatory remarks as well.
According to member polls, Lucy Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, is in the lead to become the new deputy leader, having a significant advantage over her competitor, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Despite this, Phillipson’s campaign remains optimistic about a potential victory today, citing support from union affiliates and emphasizing her successful initiatives such as the implementation of free school breakfasts and the expansion of free school meals.
However, some members perceive Phillipson as the preferred candidate of No10, which has been a setback for her campaign. Despite this, she remains hopeful of securing a surprise win. In response to these perceptions, Phillipson expressed a sense of irony, dismissing claims of being favored by No10.
The election of Powell as the new deputy leader has been met with mixed reactions among backbench MPs, with some questioning the relevance of the role in light of David Lammy already being appointed as Rayner’s successor as Deputy Prime Minister. Powell has positioned herself as a full-time deputy leader, distancing herself from Cabinet responsibilities, a point she has emphasized during her campaign.
The outcome of the contest is expected to send a clear message to Downing Street, with a Powell victory signaling a need for change according to some MPs. Powell herself has stressed the importance of delivering critical feedback to No10 to avoid past mistakes and ensure a better future for the Labour Party.
Despite concerns within Downing Street about potential challenges posed by Powell, both candidates have advocated for the removal of the two-child benefit limit, highlighting the policy’s adverse effects on children in poverty. A failure to address this issue in the upcoming Budget could lead to disagreements between Starmer and the newly elected deputy leader.
