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Lucy Powell’s had quite the political comeback. Sacked from cabinet by the prime minister but weeks ago, she’s back with her own powerbase and voice at the top of the party as the deputy Labour leader.
She was not Keir Starmer‘s choice and, while the prime minister was quick to embrace her on Saturday as the result was announced, he is probably right to feel some unease about the outcome for a few different reasons.
For in Powell, the party has a new, alternative figurehead that sits outside of the government machine.
Politics live: Follow updates as Labour names new deputy leader
She ran a campaign in which she pledged to be the voice of the membership to the leadership and the membership picked her. She will have serious influence on the National Executive Committee, and sit in the political cabinet.
What she won’t do is return to the cabinet table, which means that she has power and profile, but will remain an independent voice, free from collective cabinet responsibility.
As I understand it, Powell doesn’t want to destabilise the leadership – for now at least.
She will take a submarine approach when it comes to interventions around government policy rather than offering a running commentary on Starmer’s government and choose her battles.
That way, when she does weigh in, she is harder to ignore.
She could also over time become a lightning rod for discontent should the party’s fortunes remain as parlous as they are now.
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Powell aims to unite Labour Party
On Friday,
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