The battle for Labour’s deputy leadership intensified at the party’s annual conference, with candidates Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson setting out competing visions. Powell, who was sacked from the cabinet last month, pitched herself as an independent “shop steward” for members, arguing that many feel “disconnected” from the government. Phillipson warned that a Powell victory would mean “division and disunity”, urging members to choose a path that keeps Labour in power rather than “the road to opposition”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed suggestions of a rift with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, telling Sky News he had “no personal issue with him in the slightest”. Burnham had recently suggested he would be available to replace Starmer as leader, prompting a backlash from Starmer’s allies. However, the threat appears to have receded, with a consensus emerging that Burnham overplayed his hand.
Starmer also used his conference interviews to attack the scale of small boat crossings, labelling them “Farage boats” due to their increase since Brexit. He signalled his intention to review how international law, particularly the European Convention on Human Rights, is interpreted by UK courts in deportation cases. This drew concern from Amnesty International UK, which warned against undermining human rights protections, specifically Articles 3 and 8 covering freedom from torture and family life.
On employment rights, reports emerged that Labour is considering reviving a Conservative-era plan to charge workers a fee for taking their employers to tribunal. Unions described the idea as a “disaster”, but sources said ministers were examining the proposal amid lobbying from businesses.
