Lucy Powell calls on Labour to avoid ‘write off’ upcoming May elections as certain defeats

Labour should not “write off” the May electoral contests anticipating heavy defeats, but use the upcoming fiscal plan to recapture public focus, Lucy Powell stated amid the contest for deputy leadership reached its concluding phase.

With voting among party members under way, her rival, contesting the same role, said if she won she intends to establish a formal system to reflect the views of members and unions directly to government leaders at regular intervals.

Removed from her cabinet post during the recent ministerial shake-up following Angela Rayner’s exit emerging as the frontrunner on an outsider platform, vowing to deliver hard truths to Keir Starmer and his team when necessary.

Following engagements with party members, Powell said apprehension exists regarding potential effects on the party of the elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and councils across England in May, where significant setbacks are forecast, including losses to Reform UK.

Previously Commons leader until the reshuffle, declared she is “not prepared to write off this hugely important set of elections” as typical midterm backlash, calling for a bold budget as a countermeasure.

“It’s unacceptable to lose good Labour councillors and councils through external factors, because of the missteps we’ve taken nationally,” she said. “We must redefine our priorities preventing communities from awakening to Reform and other councils post-election next May.”

The 26 November budget must serve as “a moment to draw a line from previous errors, demonstrating to the nation where our allegiance lies”, Powell said, saying it should lift the two-child benefit cap ensuring the tax burden was shared more fairly.

Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Phillipson, the education secretary, suggested she expects the restriction would be abolished.

“I am confident that we as a government will act appropriately for children in poverty in our country,” she said. “We’ve initiated this effort. Further action is needed. I will ensure its completion.”

Phillipson argued that as a cabinet minister she could make sure members’ concerns were heard directly within senior government circles. In a subsequent pledge, her team said she would regularly gather input from members and unions quarterly to present in this way.

She said: “The Labour party draws its strength from its members. That’s why I want to give them a stronger voice in how the government delivers its agenda, with more avenues for our movement to tell us about their priorities.

“Solely with my leadership will member voices resonate loud and clear during cabinet discussions.”

Online member voting began last Wednesday and will run until 23 October, results following two days after.