Exclusive: Lucy Powell Is Being Encouraged To Run For Deputy Labour Leader

Lucy Powell was sacked as Commons leader in Starmer's reshuffle.Lucy Powell is being encouraged to run for the deputy Labour leadership just days after being sacked by Keir Starmer.The Manchester Central MP is said to be “furious” at the prime minister’s decision to dump her as leader of the House of Commons.She was one of only two cabinet ministers to be removed from government entirely in Starmer’s reshuffle.The other was Scottish secretary Ian Murray, but he was given two ministerial jobs 24 hours later following an angry backlash from Labour MPs to his sacking.Powell is a close ally of Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who launched an outspoken attack on Starmer’s “London-centric” government on Sunday.He told the BBC he was “concerned about the balance” in the new-look cabinet.“I think we need to use the deputy leadership contest to discuss some of these things,” he said.HuffPost UK understands there is anger among northern Labour MPs at Powell’s sacking, as well as the removal from government of several other ministers from the north-west of England.Powell has clashed in the past with Morgan McSweeney, the PM’s chief of staff.One Labour source said: “Compared to some of her colleagues who were not sacked, Lucy was head and shoulders above the others.“The list of executions in the north west is a massive amount for a single region. This is going to be a massive problem for No.10 and I suspect that they haven’t even noticed yet.”Another source said: “Lucy was prepared to challenge Morgan. She does push hard some times, maybe too far, but she was very good at her job.”A number of other Labour MPs are also considering a bid to be deputy leader.They include Dame Emily Thornberry, who told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that she was “thinking about it”.Other are thought to include Anneliese Dodds, Rosena Allin-Khan, Miatta Fahnbulleh and Alison McGovern.HuffPost UK has approached Powell for comment.Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) is meeting on Monday to decide the timetable for the deputy leadership election, amid reports that MPs only have until Thursday at 5pm to come up with the 80 nominations they need.It is understood there is “massive pushback” about the speed of the timetable, amid fears the election is being stitched up to prevent MPs critical of the PM from standing.Left-wing MP Richard Burgon said: “This is a desperate move to keep Labour members’ voices out of this race and to dodge serious discussion on what’s gone wrong over the last year – from the positions on disability benefits cuts, on winter fuel payments, on Gaza and more.“This outrageous timetable shows a leadership that’s unwilling to listen and to learn the lessons needed if we’re to rebuild support and stop Nigel Farage.”Related...Labour Splits Erupt As Andy Burnham Blasts Starmer's 'London-Centric' ReshuffleHow Keir Starmer's 'Growth And Boats' Reshuffle Could Create Even More Problems For The PMKeir Starmer Swings The Axe In Major Cabinet Reshuffle After Rayner Resignation

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