Lucy Powell’s victory has sparked fresh turmoil inside Labour, with GB News political correspondent Olivia Utley warning it is “very bad news” for Sir Keir Starmer.
Speaking on GB News, Olivia said Powell’s win over Bridget Phillipson, who was seen as No10’s preferred candidate, will cause major tension within the party.
“Lucy Powell was leader of the House of Commons until eight weeks ago and was viewed as the anti-Government candidate,” Olivia explained.
“This shows Labour members are voting with their feet and expressing discontent with Keir Starmer himself.”
Olivia Utley said that this is ‘very bad news’ for Keir Starmer
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GB NEWS
Ms Powell’s close ties with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a long-time critic of Sir Keir, are also raising eyebrows.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Powell appeared to take thinly veiled digs at the Prime Minister, saying the party had “allowed Nigel Farage to take control of the political mic” and insisting that “debating, listening and hearing is our strength.”
Olivia said such remarks will not go unnoticed by Sir Keir’s team: “She’s pitching herself as a bridge between the members and the leadership but that could quickly become awkward if she sounds even slightly critical of the Government. She could become a rallying point for Labour rebels.”
The GB News correspondent also noted that No10 appeared keen to downplay the announcement, with reporters barred from asking questions and the Prime Minister giving only brief remarks.
“All in all,” Olivia said, “it’s bad news for the PM.”
“She’s in cahoots with Andy Burnham, who’s been openly critical of Starmer,” Olivia added.
“He set up a think tank called Mainstream, which many view as a platform to attack Mr Starmer from within Labour. The two of them together could become a real problem for No10.”
The Manchester Central MP was sacked from the Cabinet in September.
Ms Powell secured 87,407 votes, almost 14,000 more than Ms Phillipson, on a turnout of just 16.6 per cent.
In her victory speech, Ms Powell said Labour must be “bolder” and promised to be a “champion for our Labour values”, adding that the party “must change how we are doing things to turn things around”.
She told supporters she would use her new role to “bring voices” from across the movement “to the heart of our party”, insisting she wanted to “help Keir and our Government to succeed”.
Ms Powell said: “I’ll be a champion for our Labour values and boldness in everything we do. And I know that you, Keir, as our leader, want that and I will be your ally in that fight.”
Ms Powell’s victory comes at a turbulent time for the Government, which has faced scrutiny over the grooming gangs inquiry and the mistaken release of a migrant sex offender from prison.
Labour also suffered a major blow in a Senedd by-election in Caerphilly, losing a seat it had held for more than a century.