The Labour Party's deputy leadership contest, featuring rivals Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson, is set to conclude on Saturday, but the result may exacerbate internal tensions rather than foster unity. The race has exposed deep fractures within the party, with Powell's supporters feeling aggrieved by what they perceive as unfair characterisation of their candidate as a reckless outcast.
Powell, a former Commons leader, and Phillipson, the education secretary, both entered the contest unexpectedly after Angela Rayner's resignation. While Powell initially held a 17-point lead in polls, the outcome remains uncertain due to low expected turnout and Phillipson's strong union endorsements. Most Labour MPs, however, believe Powell will win.
The contest has pushed both candidates to adopt more radical positions. Powell has called for an end to factionalism and a stronger assault on Nigel Farage, while also advocating for the abolition of the two-child benefit cap. Phillipson, as a cabinet minister, has made concrete policy commitments, including ending the two-child limit and protecting workers' rights.
Despite the high stakes, many party members appear disengaged. One MP noted that members are not even that engaged with the contest, while another warned that disengagement is not good news for the party. The low-key announcement of results—a camera in Labour HQ with a short speech—has irritated some of Powell's backers, who fear she may be frozen out if she wins.
Senior strategists had hoped to avoid a contest altogether, but a restive parliamentary party made a fix unlikely. The result will have profound consequences, with one Labour source stating that the centre knows the outcome matters, given their strong backing of a preferred candidate.
