After the Rayner scandal and the Mandelson case, Starmer faces a new obstacle: Lucy Powell, removed from the government, challenge for the vice -president of the Labor
Although he has removed some prominent figures from his government from the positions, British premier Keir Starmer has to face further unexpected events that further complicate his mandate.
The members of his own party, the Labor Party, have in fact inserted the former leader of the Chamber of Municipalities on the list of candidates for the party vice -president. This is Lucy Powell: Starmer removed him from his assignment last week after the government’s reshuffle. And, if he became deputy leader of the party, the Prime Minister would further see his authority affected.
According to reports from Bloomberg, in fact, the competition for a key role in the party further undermines the leadership of the Labor Prime Minister, already dented after having lost two high profile members in recent weeks. Also for the Guardian the choice of the deputy leader is considered as “a referendum” for the party.
The context
This is the last piece of an obstacle course that is having a domino effect on Starmer’s credibility. The position of vice -president of the party is vacant after the resignation, on September 5, by Angela Rayner: the vice premier and vice leader of the Labor Party had passed off the purchase of a house by the sea of almost a million euros as the first residence to obtain a tax discount of 40,000 pounds.
Parallel to his exit, the premier had removed Powell by the assignment of the leader of the Chamber of Municipalities. On September 5, the Laborist commented: «This was not an easy period for the government. People want to see changes and improvements in their difficult lives ». And he had continued: “The future of our democracy appears uncertain and Parliament and politics play an important role to play”.
To the Rayner’s scandal then added the most recent one of the British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, after his old frequentations with Jeffrey Epstein emerged. Starmer, after defending him on a sword, removed it yesterday from the assignment. Now, with Powell’s candidacy, the premier will continue to look at his back.
The challenge for Starmer
The former leader of the Chamber of Municipalities, which is in the running together with the Minister of Education Bridget Phillipson, could give Starmer to welfare, welfare, public spending and conflict in Gaza.
For some parties of the party, the vice leader is inserted in the context of a “proxy war” between the prime minister and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The latter is seen as a potential successor of Starmer and has supported Powell’s candidacy. It is therefore not surprising that the Downing Street 10 is the rival Phillipson.
Lucy Powell’s statements
Meanwhile, Powell commented on his candidacy, declaring: “This is not a competition that I expected nor that none of us wanted, but we must exploit it to focus on how the new deputy leader can act as a bridge between all the members of our movement and help the government to achieve the progressive change that the country needs”.
And he added: «I am Labor up to the marrow. I will always fight for our party, for our values and for our traditions. At a time when there are forces that try to spread division and hatred, the Labor Party must be the voice of unity and hope ».
The trajectory of the Labor Party and therefore Starmer will be decided next month when the party members vote. On October 25, who will have sprinkled it between Powell and Phillipson will be announced.
