Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has issued a stark warning to colleagues who are fuelling speculation about Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, telling them in no uncertain terms to 'put a sock in it'.
A Call for Focus Ahead of Critical May Elections
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Powell stressed that the party must concentrate all its energy on the upcoming set of elections across England, Scotland, and Wales in May 2026, rather than indulging in internal speculation. She dismissed what she termed 'navel gazing' about hypothetical future scenarios in Downing Street.
Her comments come as Labour braces for a potentially difficult set of local and devolved elections in just over four months' time. Some Labour MPs have been privately discussing Sir Keir's future as Prime Minister should the party perform poorly at the polls.
'What is at stake is huge,' Powell stated. 'If we spend the next four or five months navel gazing... what we are doing is bringing all the focus onto the Westminster soap opera and not on the actual choices people face in May next year.' When asked directly if those discussing the leadership should silence themselves, she replied: 'I think absolutely put a sock in it.'
The Stakes: A Fight Against Reform and Real-World Impacts
Powell framed the May votes as a direct contest between Labour and the growing influence of Reform UK. She argued that in many areas, the choice is between a Labour council or one where Reform establishes a foothold, particularly in Wales.
She emphasised that the results will have tangible consequences, affecting local services and communities. 'This will have real-life impacts for services, for local areas, and for Scotland and Wales,' she said. Powell expressed belief that as voters focus on these concrete issues, the polls will tighten in Labour's favour, but cautioned that victory will not simply fall into the party's lap. 'We've got to be up for that fight,' she insisted.
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking to 2026
Powell, who was appointed Deputy Leader in October after Angela Rayner's resignation, has been candid about the government's 'big mistakes' in 2025. These included the controversial cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners and poorly handled welfare reductions.
She pointed to the recent Budget, and specifically Chancellor Rachel Reeves's move to scrap the two-child benefit limit, as evidence the government is showing a clearer sense of purpose. 'It gave a clear sense of whose side we are on,' Powell stated, highlighting the importance of lifting children out of poverty.
Looking ahead to 2026, Powell said Labour must be 'laser focused' on addressing the cost of living crisis and economic inequalities that have made life harder for ordinary working families for decades. 'We are fixing that,' she asserted. 'We've just got to be really laser focused on that.'
On the subject of Angela Rayner's potential return to government, Powell was unequivocal: 'Of course we'd all love to see Angela back.' She described Rayner's departure from Cabinet as a 'huge, huge loss', but noted that the decision on her return rests with her and the Prime Minister.
