Phillipson and Powell kick off Labour deputy race with very different visions for role

"I really want this Labour government to succeed, and sometimes that means having the difficult conversations, she said in her email to constituency Labour parties. I won't snipe from the sidelines. But when we get things wrong, I have the guts to say we need to change course. We need to listen to the country, and our movement. When we don't, we make mistakes that overshadow our achievements. That's how we succeed and that's where our strength lies."

"You can use this contest to look backward, to pass judgment on what has happened in the last year or you can use it to shape positively what happens in the run-up to the next election, she said in an address to party members, who will vote next month. Phillipson said she would run a campaign of hope, not grievance and warned the party against descending into division. She said that having an experienced campaigner in the role was vital."

Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell have launched campaigns for Labour deputy leader. Powell pledged to serve full-time as an independent deputy who will speak truth to senior leadership and hold the party to account, saying she will not snipe from the sidelines but will call for course changes when needed. Powell framed listening to the country and the movement as essential to avoid mistakes that overshadow achievements. Phillipson positioned herself as an experienced campaigner aligned with No 10, promising to focus on defeating Reform UK, run a campaign of hope not grievance, and warn against division. Members will vote next month.

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