Powell and Phillipson outline Labour deputy leadership strategies

At a hustings in Liverpool on Wednesday, the two contenders for Labour’s deputy leadership presented contrasting strategies for confronting rival parties while both pledged to take the fight to Reform UK, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson used the closing session of the party’s annual conference to spell out how they would shape Labour’s messaging ahead of next year’s local elections and to press their claims for the deputy role.

Powell, the former Commons leader who was removed from the cabinet last month, warned against copying Reform UK and urged Labour to reclaim the political agenda. "Being tactical about it and trying to out Reform Reform is not going to help us in those elections next May," she said, calling for a clearer, positive vision that would reconnect younger voters. She said her 21 year old son and his friends had "really struggled with me actually being in the Labour government these last 15 months" and argued the party must adopt policies that enthuse young people.

Phillipson, the education secretary and the government’s preferred candidate, responded by stressing party unity and a tougher approach to left‑of‑centre...