I won't be throwing bricks at Keir.. but Labour needs a range of voices

Powell: I can be 'shop steward'

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor

LABOUR deputy leadership hopeful Lucy Powell says she can help No10 avoid blunders like the benefit cuts fiasco.

She called for a “course correction” after Labour's bumpy first year, and warned that good policies such as workers’ rights and rail nationalisation were being overshadowed by mistakes.

Speaking to the Mirror in the Strawberry Duck pub in her Manchester constituency, Ms Powell said she would not be going on the attack against Keir Starmer.

But as party members begin voting for a new deputy leader today, she said Labour needs to spell out what it really stands for.

Ms Powell, who was sacked as Commons Leader in last month's reshuffle, casts herself as a voice for the party against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is seen as No10's pick.

Asked if she could deliver tough messages to No10, Ms Powell said: “Absolutely. It's not about being out on the airwaves, throwing bricks at the government.

“That's not my style. But I think I've effectively been the shop steward of the back benches for the last year, 15 months or so, and now I can be that shop steward directly elected by the members with that mandate of my own, to have those difficult conversations where they need having.”