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Lucy Powell Elected Labour Deputy Leader as Members Rebuke Starmer’s Direction

Her 54–46 win on a 16.6% turnout signals a push to refocus on progressive priorities over chasing Reform UK.

Lucy Powell and Keir Starmer hugging after her election as deputy leader (Photo: Lucy North/PA)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: Labour deputy leadership contender Lucy Powell appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg at Media City, Salford on October 5, 2025 in Manchester, England. Kemi Badenoch goes into her first conference as party leader with current polling putting the Conservative Party in fourth place behind Reform, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. (Photo by Danny Lawson - Pool/Getty Images)
02/10/2025. London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Statement delivers a statement from 10 Downing Street on the Manchester synagogue terror attack. Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

Overview

  • Powell won 87,407 votes to Bridget Phillipson’s 73,536 and will not become deputy prime minister, a government role held by David Lammy.
  • In her victory speech, Powell said Labour should not try to out‑Reform Reform and called for a broad progressive consensus and greater engagement with members.
  • She gains a seat on Labour’s national executive committee and intends to stay outside the Cabinet to campaign and press the leadership.
  • The result came after the Caerphilly Senedd by‑election, where Plaid Cymru won and Reform UK finished second as Labour’s vote collapsed to about 11%.
  • Starmer welcomed Powell’s election and said the Welsh defeat showed the need to deliver visible change, as senior figures urged the party to learn from the setback.