The Labour deputy leadership contest intensified as frontrunner Bridget Phillipson faced accusations from rival Lucy Powell of fostering “division and disunity” within the party, reports BritPanorama.
Phillipson, endorsed by Downing Street, claimed that Powell’s approach promotes infighting that benefits right-wing media narratives and threatens Labour’s progress towards forming a government.
Powell, who was recently removed from Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet, countered by criticizing the Prime Minister for his continued focus on former Brexit leader Nigel Farage during party events. She expressed concern about public fatigue with the ongoing discussions surrounding Farage.
During a party hustings in Liverpool, Powell declared, “I think people are sick of us just going on about Nigel Farage all the time,” urging the party to shift focus to practical solutions for pressing national issues. Despite the criticism, she remains the favourite among Labour members for the deputy position.
In response, Phillipson asserted that the party must equally confront challenges posed by the Green Party on the left, similar to their strategy against Reform UK. She accused the Prime Minister’s office of promoting an atmosphere of “increasing groupthink.”
Additionally, Powell shared insights into her personal life, revealing that her 21-year-old son and his friends have found it difficult to connect with the Labour government over the past 15 months, citing a disconnect in how the party approaches youth engagement.
