Overview

• In a BBC interview, Lucy Powell said recent government "unforced errors" have made voters doubt Labour is on their side and vowed to act as a conduit for members rather than seek a Cabinet return.
• Powell urged clearer commitment to lifting the two-child benefit cap, calling it the biggest single lever to cut child poverty while accepting the timing would need to be worked through.
• Member surveys reported by LabourList show Powell with a double‑digit advantage over Bridget Phillipson, including a Survation finding of 61% to 39% once undecided respondents are excluded.
• Bridget Phillipson is viewed as the leadership‑aligned option, having led on MP nominations and secured backing from Usdaw, Community and several CLPs, as she campaigns on party unity and a second‑term push.
• Internal pressure on Keir Starmer persists following the Rayner and Mandelson episodes, with reports of some MPs telling whips they lack confidence, while Powell rejects as "sexist" claims she is a proxy for Andy Burnham even as he endorses her.