7 h. ago Lucy Powell calls on Labour not to ‘write off’ May local elections

Exclusive: deputy leadership favourite says budget can revive party’s appeal, while Bridget Phillipson pitches to channel grassroots views to cabinetLabour should not “write off” next May’s elections as a likely moment for big losses but use the budget as a way to seize back voters’ attention, Lucy Powell has said as the battle to be the party’s deputy leadership entered its final period.With voting among party members under way, Bridget Phillipson, Powell’s rival for the post, said if she won she would set up a formal system to reflect the views of members and unions to the cabinet on a regular basis. Continue reading...

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12 h. ago Phillipson signals Government will ‘do the right thing’ and lift benefit cap

The Education Secretary said she will be ‘arguing’ the case for the change in Cabinet.

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42 h. ago Why should you be Labour’s next deputy leader? Guardian readers quiz the candidates

As party members prepare to choose between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, the pair answer questions on wealth taxes, Brexit, the climate crisis and the far right Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Labour deputy leader battle turns nasty as Bridget Phillipson allies warn Corbynites want win for 'anti

Supporters of Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary and Starmerite candidate, have warned that the remaining rump of Corbynistas in the party are lining up behind her rival Lucy Powell.

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4 d. ago Tory plan to abolish stamp duty ‘will benefit London and the wealthiest the most’ – UK politics live

The Social Market Foundation thinktank says council tax reform and a property-based tax would be more sustainable and fairerVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understa...

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4 d. ago Kemi Badenoch takes on Labour's trade union allies with call for a BAN on doctors' strikes and vow to save academy schools' freedoms

In her keynote speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester, Mrs Badenoch said NHS waiting lists were being kept high 'for far too long' by industrial action.

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4 d. ago Tories would abolish stamp duty, Badenoch tells party conference – UK politics live

Party leader says measure is a ‘bad tax’ and scrapping it would free up the housing market and improve social mobilityVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understand tha...

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4 d. ago Frontrunner to be Starmer's Labour deputy admits 'things aren't going well' under his leadership and says the party cannot 'sugarcoat' failure

Lucy Powell, who was sacked as a minister by Sir Keir last month, hit out as voting opened in the race to become the party's deputy leader, saying his record should not be 'sugar-coated'.

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4 d. ago Phillipson accuses Powell of ‘energising our opponents’ as voting begins

Ballots opened on Wednesday for members and affiliates in the Labour deputy leadership race.

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5 d. ago Labour ‘can’t sugarcoat fact things aren’t going well’, Lucy Powell says

The deputy leadership contender said the party needs to start telling ‘a stronger story’.

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5 d. ago Lucy Powell vows to talk tough with No10 and says Labour can't 'out

Labour deputy leadership hopeful Lucy Powell called for a 'course correction' after a bumpy first year - but said she won't be 'throwing bricks' at Keir Starmer if elected

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6 d. ago Aston Martin calls on Labour for support as British luxury carmaker faces heavy losses

Aston Martin is set for heavy losses this year after the luxury carmaker was forced to slash production volume forecasts in response to macroeconomic disruption.

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7 d. ago Neil Kinnock backs Lucy Powell in Labour deputy leadership race

The result of the contest to replace Angela Rayner will be announced on October 25.

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7 d. ago Neil Kinnock endorses Lucy Powell ahead of crunch Labour deputy leader vote

Lord Kinnock threw his weight behind 'outstanding' Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell, saying she would ensure the whole Labour movement was heard if she became deputy leader

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7 d. ago Lucy Powell dismisses ‘ridiculous’ claims she would bring division to Labour

Labour needs to ‘tell a much stronger story’ about the purpose of this Government, the deputy leadership hopeful said.

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7 d. ago Alan Johnson backs Bridget Phillipson in Labour’s deputy leadership race

He said she would help bring back voters drifting away from Labour.

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1 week ago 'It's like being at Glastonbury and I've just not been at the Pyramid stage'

Manchester MP Lucy Powell, a close friend of Andy Burnham, is standing to be deputy leader of the Labour Party

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1 week ago Readers' letters: Labour's funding pledges for Scotland are Trumpian fake news

Anas Sarwar’s call for a “new directionr “ for Scottish Labour fails to convince a reader

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1 week ago Parents facing 'mixed messages' over mobile phone use in Scots schools as Labour calls for ban

Parents have repeatedly warned school bullies are using smartphones to film attacks on other pupils before sharing the footage on social media.

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1 week ago Powell and Phillipson vie for votes as Labour conference draws to a close

The pair displayed little disagreement during a hustings at the end of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool on Wednesday.

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