Lucy Powell calls on party to avoid dismiss May local elections as inevitable losses

Labour should not “write off” next May’s elections as a likely moment for big losses, but use the upcoming fiscal plan as a way to seize back public focus, the former minister stated amid the contest to be the party’s deputy leadership reached its concluding phase.

With voting among party members under way, Bridget Phillipson, contesting the same role, asserted upon victory she would set up an official framework to reflect the views of members and unions directly to government leaders at regular intervals.

Removed from her cabinet post in last month’s reshuffle after the departure of Angela Rayner and has become the favourite to win positioning as an independent voice, promising to present tough truths to Keir Starmer and his team when necessary.

Speaking after a series of events with members, Powell said there was concern about the possible impact for Labour from Scottish and Welsh parliamentary races and councils across England next May, with Labour predicted to see heavy losses, including losses to Reform UK.

Powell, who was leader of the Commons before the reshuffle, declared she is “not prepared to write off these crucial electoral contests” as inevitable midterm pushback, calling for a bold budget in response.

“It’s not OK if we are losing good Labour councillors and councils through no fault of their own, because of the missteps we’ve taken nationally,” she emphasized. “We need to reset the agenda so that more communities don’t wake up to Reform and other councils post-election in May.”

The 26 November budget should be “a moment to draw a line from previous errors, and show the country whose side we are on”, Powell articulated, proposing it removes the two-child benefit cap ensuring the tax burden was shared more fairly.

During a BBC interview, Phillipson, the education secretary, indicated she believed the restriction would be abolished.

“I am confident that we as a government will do the right thing for children in poverty across the nation,” she said. “We’ve initiated this effort. There’s more to do. I will ensure its completion.”

Phillipson argued in her capacity as minister she could guarantee direct representation of member concerns at the top of government. Through an additional commitment, her campaign stated she would regularly gather input from members and trade unions quarterly to present in this way.

She declared: “Labour’s vitality stems from its membership. That’s why I want to give them enhanced influence in how the government delivers its agenda, creating channels for communicating movement priorities.

“Only under my deputy leadership will members have their voices heard distinctly at the cabinet table.”

Online member voting commenced recently and will run until 23 October, results following two days after.