Not OK for Labour to lose in May, says deputy leadership contender

Labour should not “write off” next May’s elections as a likely moment for big losses but use November’s budget as a way to seize back voters’ attention, Lucy Powell has said as the battle to be the party’s deputy leader enters its final period.

- Peter Walker Senior political correspondent

With voting among party members under way, Bridget Phillipson, Powell’s rival for the post, said that if she won she would set up a formal system to deliver the views of members and unions to the cabinet on a regular basis.

Powell was sacked from the cabinet in last month’s reshuffle following the departure of Angela Rayner, and has become the favourite to win on an outsider ticket, promising to present tough truths to Keir Starmer and his team when necessary.