Lucy Powell calls on Labour not to ‘write off’ upcoming May elections viewing them as certain defeats

The party must avoid “write off” the May electoral contests anticipating heavy defeats, but use the budget to recapture public focus, Lucy Powell has said as the battle for deputy leadership entered its final period.

As member voting commences, Bridget Phillipson, contesting the same role, asserted upon victory she would set up an official framework to reflect the views of members and unions to the cabinet at regular intervals.

Removed from her cabinet post in last month’s reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s exit emerging as the frontrunner on an outsider platform, promising to present tough truths to Keir Starmer and his team as needed.

Following engagements with party members, Powell said apprehension exists about the possible impact on the party from Scottish and Welsh parliamentary races and councils across England in May, with Labour predicted to see heavy losses, many to Reform UK.

Previously Commons leader until the reshuffle, declared she is unwilling to dismiss these crucial electoral contests” as typical midterm backlash, calling for a bold budget as a countermeasure.

“It’s unacceptable to lose good Labour councillors and councils through no fault of their own, because of the missteps we’ve taken nationally,” she emphasized. “We need to reset the agenda so that more communities don’t wake up to Reform and other councils post-election in May.”

November’s budget should be “a moment to draw a line under our past mistakes, demonstrating to the nation where our allegiance lies”, Powell articulated, proposing it removes the two-child benefit cap ensuring fairer distribution of tax responsibilities.

Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Phillipson, the education secretary, indicated she believed the cap would be lifted.

“I am confident our government will do the right thing for children in poverty across the nation,” she affirmed. “We’ve initiated this effort. Further action is needed. I will make that happen.”

Phillipson contended that as a cabinet minister she could make sure members’ concerns were heard directly within senior government circles. Through an additional commitment, her campaign stated she would formally solicit views from members and unions every three months to present in this way.

She said: “Labour’s vitality stems from its membership. That’s why I want to give them enhanced influence in governmental policy implementation, creating channels for communicating movement priorities.

“Solely with my leadership will members have their voices heard distinctly at the cabinet table.”

Online member voting began last Wednesday continuing through October, results following two days after.