In a stunning pre-election blunder, two of Labour's most senior figures have been forced into humiliating apologies after appearing to declare victory days before polling stations even open.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipsonsent a constituency newsletter claiming she was "delighted to have been re-elected as MP for Houghton and Sunderland South" – despite the election taking place on 4th July.
Meanwhile, shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell told constituents in Manchester Central she was "proud to have been re-elected as your Labour MP", in another spectacularly premature declaration.
Opposition Seizes on Campaign Misstep
The Conservative Party pounced on the errors, with a spokesman branding it "a staggering display of arrogance" that showed Labour were "taking voters for granted".
The embarrassing mishap comes as Labour maintains a commanding 20-point lead in opinion polls, with many predicting a landslide victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party.
Damage Control and Rapid Apologies
Both MPs moved quickly to contain the damage. Phillipsonsaid the wording was a "template error" from her team, insisting: "I of course know that polling day is on Thursday."
Powell similarly blamed an "administrative error" and emphasised that "every vote must be earned".
Political analysts suggest the gaffe, while embarrassing, is unlikely to significantly impact Labour's substantial lead. However, it provides ammunition to critics who accuse the party of complacency ahead of the crucial vote.
The incident serves as a reminder that in politics, as in elections, nothing should be taken for granted until the votes are actually counted.
