Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell is seen as a potential rival to Sir Keir Starmer despite making a pledge to work with him to change lives.
Ms Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, had the backing of city mayor Andy Burnham who is seen as a likely successor to Sir Keir.
She was elected with 54% of the vote among eligible Labour Party members and affiliates, receiving 87,407 votes to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s 73,536 – a majority of 13,871.
Ms Powell was sacked from the cabinet last month and was widely seen as the anti-Starmer choice while her rival was Number 10’s preferred option. There was no indication whether Ms Powell will be offered a return to Cabinet.
In her acceptance speech she said she wanted to work with Sir Keir, saying the government had “one big chance to show progressive mainstream politics can change lives for the better.
“As Keir said at Conference, we are in the fight of our lives. Division and hate are on the rise, and it falls to Labour to stand firm against it. I will work tirelessly alongside Keir and the Labour Government to win this fight.”
However, there was some undisguised criticism of the leadership as she said Labour must “offer hope, the big change the country is crying out for, and give a stronger sense of our purpose, and of whose side we’re on.”
She recognised, however, that “Labour is doing great things”, saying it was “rewiring our country in the interests of ordinary people – stronger employment rights, more protection for renters, more GP appointments, extending free school meals, and rail and buses back in the public’s hands.
“We have to seize back the political megaphone, set the agenda more strongly, and show that Labour is making a difference to people’s lives.”
Sir Keir said he looks foward to working with Ms Powell, a “proud defender” of Labour values. He urged the party to come together to defend British values- like decency, compassion, respect for difference, and pride for all the country’s people.
“We’re facing opponents who want to wage war against all that,” he said.
Ms Powell paid tribute to her opponent, saying she is “someone of huge talent, dedication and real Labour values”.
She also acknowledged the contribution of Angela Rayner, whose resignation over property tax led to the election.
“She is known for her shoes and leaves some very big ones for me to fill today,” said Ms Powell.
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