Lucy Powell to stand for Labour Deputy Leader
The Greater Manchester MP is the latest to announce a bid after the resignation of Angela Rayner
Last updated 9th Sep 2025
Greater Manchester MP Lucy Powell has become the latest to announce a bid to become deputy leader of the Labour Party.
In a statement on social media, the former leader of the house of commons says:
"After much encouragement, I have decided to stand for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
"Living with my family in my home city, Manchester, has rooted my politics in an understanding of people’s everyday hopes and fears.
"These are the experiences our MPs and party members hear too. As our Deputy Leader, I would ensure these are at the heart of what we do and how we operate, bringing together all parts of the party and uniting our broad voter coalition.
"Over the last year, as part of the Labour government I was proud to serve, I have championed our backbenchers, made sure their voices were heard, and sought to unite our team.
"We must use all our talents and experience to ensure our Labour Government, led by our Prime Minister, is successful in delivering our mandate of change.
"This means responding to the huge challenges we face with bold policies, rooted in progressive Labour values.
"I will fight every day to deliver this change."
It comes as Bridget Phillipson has also put herself forward pledging to unite the party and take on Reform UK.
The Education Secretary announced her candidacy early on Tuesday, describing herself as "a proud working-class woman from the North East" who had gone from "a single-parent family on a tough council street" to the Cabinet table.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy announced her candidacy on Monday evening while Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry is also putting her name forward.
The contest was sparked after former Deputy Leader Angela Rayner failed to pay the correct amount of stamp duty on a flat she bought in Hove.