Lucy Powell elected Labour deputy leader

Lucy Powell has been elected Labour deputy leader, defeating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson by 54% to 46% (87,407 votes to 73,536) in a contest with 16.6% turnout. The election followed Angela Rayner’s resignation over an incorrect stamp duty payment and a nomination process that narrowed six initial candidates to two. Powell, who was sacked from the Cabinet in the reshuffle, said it was a “huge privilege” and vowed to refuse a return to government so she can speak freely from the backbenches. She urged Sir Keir Starmer to be bolder, called for Labour to offer hope and “big change,” warned against shifting right to “out‑Reform Reform,” and pledged to wrestle back the political megaphone from figures such as Nigel Farage. The result is widely read as a rebuke from members and affiliates and a sign that many want a change of direction amid low engagement and recent political setbacks for the leadership.