Phillipson Warns Powell’s Win Could Lead to ‘Fracture and Discord’, Steering Labour Back to Opposition
The candidates have now moved to their final remarks.
Bridget Phillipson emphasized that Labour stands at a pivotal moment to transform the UK and must seize this chance without hesitation.
I am committed to revitalizing this government, not turning against one another.
This election presents a crossroads for change. The question is: what kind of change will we choose?
With me representing you at the cabinet table, we can encourage our government to be more courageous, ambitious, and effective.
Alternatively, a victory for division and infighting-highlighted in right-wing media-would push us back toward opposition.
Labour Members Feel Alienated, Powell Argues
Lucy Powell has voiced concerns that many Labour members feel detached from the government, risking a decline in enthusiasm. Speaking alongside her deputy leadership rival, Bridget Phillipson, at the party’s annual conference, Powell positioned herself as an independent advocate for members, aiming to balance what she describes as an occasionally isolated leadership.
Having been removed from the cabinet during last month’s reshuffle, Powell described her role as a “shop steward” for backbenchers, pledging to foster open dialogue rather than dissent.
Phillipson, Seen as Starmer’s Preferred Candidate, Warns of Risks
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, widely regarded as the favored choice of Keir Starmer and his supporters, cautioned that electing Powell could derail the government through internal strife.
“My goal is to turn this government around, not to turn on each other,” Phillipson stated during the hustings. “Change is at stake in this election. The decision is what form that change will take. You can opt to push our government to be more daring and effective, with me as your voice in cabinet. Or you can choose division and discord that fills the right-wing press and sends us back to opposition.”
Powell Calls for Honest Conversations, Not Sideline Criticism
Powell, representing Manchester Central, responded by emphasizing that she does not seek conflict but rather a vital discussion on improving the party, given the high stakes involved.
“I won’t avoid tough conversations, but I won’t undermine from the sidelines,” she affirmed.
Reflections on Government Missteps and Successes
When asked about government errors, Phillipson pointed to controversies surrounding winter fuel payments and welfare reforms but stressed the importance of also recognizing achievements.
Powell attributed some mistakes to a shrinking number of decision-makers disconnected from the communities they serve, leading to a lack of grassroots feedback and impacting activist morale.
Engaging Young Members and Rebuilding Trust
Phillipson highlighted the vital role young members played during the election and advocated for their greater involvement in policy development.
Powell acknowledged that younger generations are less engaged with Labour than before, sharing a personal perspective as a mother of a 21-year-old who has struggled to connect with the party’s current direction.
Strategies to Reclaim Support from Greens and Liberal Democrats
Powell, whose constituency is a mix of traditional Labour heartlands and urban areas, recognized the threat posed by the Greens and Liberal Democrats. She urged Labour to remain true to its principles and work toward rebuilding a progressive coalition.
Phillipson advocated for exposing the Greens’ contradictions, noting their opposition to infrastructure projects despite acknowledging climate change as a critical challenge and opportunity for job creation.
Approach to Countering Reform UK
Phillipson stressed the importance of demonstrating Labour’s tangible improvements in people’s lives to counter Reform UK’s influence.
Powell expressed a desire for Labour to reclaim the political narrative, criticizing the party for ceding the public discourse to opponents in recent months.
Q: How do you plan to secure victory in next year’s Welsh elections?
Bridget Phillipson highlights her extensive experience in campaigning as a key strength.
Lucy Powell acknowledges the challenges ahead for the Senedd elections, stating:
What we’re witnessing in Wales mirrors a broader trend: the fragmentation of our voter base and the electorate as a whole.
While some voters are drifting towards Reform UK, a larger portion is shifting their support to Plaid Cymru.
This underscores the urgent need to rebuild our coalition by presenting a powerful, persuasive narrative about the country’s issues and our solutions.
Powell critiques the government’s approach, pointing to the reduction in winter fuel payments as a policy that blurred the party’s stance, especially damaging in traditional Labour strongholds.
We must actively communicate our actions, but it’s crucial to get the political messaging right to avoid losing votes to all sides.
This initial response contained pointed criticism of the current administration.
The deputy leadership hustings for Labour have just commenced, with a live stream available here.
Scheduling the event immediately after the formal conference sessions, when most Labour delegates are eager to depart, has been interpreted as an attempt by the leadership to minimize public attention on the contest.
The vacancy arose following Angela Rayner’s resignation. Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is the leadership’s favored candidate, while Lucy Powell, recently removed from her role as Commons leader by Keir Starmer, advocates for a “course correction,” as she described it in a recent statement.
Polling among Labour members indicates Powell may be leading, though the margin varies between surveys, with one suggesting a comfortable win and another predicting a closer race.
Ed Miliband delivered a speech at the Labour conference that included a significant policy announcement, alongside broader commentary that was well-received. His remarks concerning Elon Musk can be found here. Key excerpts include:
- Miliband labeled Reform UK as “ideological extremists.” He stated:
We must expose Farage and his allies for who they truly are.
They represent forces that crush investment, destroy jobs, increase bills, deepen poverty, deny science, appease Putin, and betray young people.
That is their identity.
And we know their next moves because they have made them clear.
He also emphasized Labour’s opposition to their pro-fracking stance.
- Miliband challenged Reform UK’s diagnosis of Britain’s problems.
Reform’s strategy is to scapegoat anything or anyone they can to explain our difficulties:
They blame diversity, net zero policies, and anything else that fuels division.
But they are fundamentally mistaken about the root causes of our nation’s challenges.
- He identified two Conservative policies as the true culprits behind Britain’s current state.
Two dominant Tory ideas have wreaked havoc over recent decades.
First, the 1980s’ trickle-down economics, which promised wealth for all by enriching the top but only entrenched inequality.
Second, austerity from the 2010s, which assumed cutting government spending would solve economic woes but instead caused widespread harm.
- Miliband announced that companies benefiting from government clean energy incentives must recognize unions.
Our Clean Industry bonus supports offshore wind investments in Britain, which is positive, but public funds must serve public interests.
Therefore, we will introduce a Fair Work Charter as a condition for receiving this bonus, ensuring fair wages, strong workplace rights, and union access.
- He pledged to extend employment protections to offshore renewable energy workers.
Upon joining the energy department, I discovered that workers more than 12 miles offshore in renewables lack basic employment protections, including minimum wage guarantees.
This is a Tory-created scandal, and we intend to end it.
Our principle, enshrined in law, will guarantee fair pay and decent rights for all workers, whether offshore or onshore.
- Miliband reflected on a 1955 speech by his father, Ralph Miliband, at a Labour conference.
My father spoke only once as a delegate at the party conference in Margate, 70 years ago.
In just two minutes, he criticized the national executive committee, opposed a composite motion, and called for nationalizing key economic sectors.
It’s reassuring that some Labour traditions endure.
He also described being part of the party as a “great adventure” with a vision the Tories lack.
For me and for us, that spirit defines the purpose of political engagement.
Ed Miliband, serving as energy secretary, used his conference speech to demand that Elon Musk “get the hell out” of British politics.
Addressing the far-right billionaire, owner of Tesla and X, who recently delivered a virtual rally speech urging a “fight back or die” stance and called for government dissolution, Miliband said:
I wish Nigel Farage were just the usual Tory city slicker we’ve known for years.
But he has evolved into something far more dangerous.
He is now part of a global network intent on dismantling the bonds that hold our communities and way of life together.
And the threat can be summed up in two words: Elon Musk.
He incites street violence.
He calls for overthrowing our elected government.
He enables disinformation through X.
He believes he can dictate how Britain should be run.
Conference, our message to Elon Musk is clear:
Get out of our politics and our country.
Following Ed Miliband’s announcement to ban fracking entirely, environmental groups have expressed their support.
Greenpeace UK political campaigner Angharad Hopkinson commented:
The government’s decision to permanently prohibit fracking is commendable. After years of empty promises, the industry has only caused earthquakes and left a few scars in Lancashire’s muddy fields. Fracking is environmentally damaging, widely opposed, and even if feasible here, it won’t reduce energy costs.
Friends of the Earth also responded positively to the ban.
At the Labour conference, Ed Miliband elaborated on his rationale for the comprehensive fracking ban:
Fracking won’t lower bills.
It won’t generate sustainable, long-term employment.
It threatens our climate goals.
And it poses serious risks to our natural environment.
Communities have successfully resisted fracking before and will do so again.
Recall Liz Truss’s disastrous 42-day tenure.
The Tories, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, attempted to overturn the ban.
But we stood firm and sent those frackers packing.
Now, let’s commit to banning fracking and ensuring this group is sent packing too.
Ed Miliband is set to declare a comprehensive ban on fracking during his upcoming speech, marking a significant shift beyond the current temporary moratorium. This announcement, part of the North Sea Transition consultation results expected this autumn, will introduce legislation to permanently prohibit the controversial extraction technique.
Fracking, which involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of sand, water, and chemicals deep underground to release shale gas, has faced widespread opposition due to environmental concerns such as earthquakes, water contamination, and air pollution. Despite support for fracking from Reform UK, the method remains unpopular among many communities.
Miliband plans to counter Reform UK’s pro-fracking stance by launching a campaign titled “Send the Frackers Packing,” targeting the 141 parliamentary constituencies located above shale gas reserves. Labour aims to protect these areas from hazardous drilling activities, including Miliband’s own constituency, which lies atop shale gas deposits.
Veronica Hawking, campaigns director at 38 Degrees, praised the forthcoming ban, highlighting the tireless efforts of grassroots activists who have long campaigned against fracking. She remarked, “This is a tremendous victory for our environment and local communities, reflecting the power of collective action to halt fracking’s resurgence, especially against the backdrop of Reform UK’s push to revive it.”
Currently, the UK enforces a moratorium on fracking, briefly lifted in 2022 by Liz Truss but reinstated by Rishi Sunak. Miliband’s announcement signals a move toward a permanent legal prohibition, aiming to safeguard environmental and public health.
Keir Starmer has addressed questions about his leadership amid calls within the party for a change at the helm. In interviews aired this morning, he firmly rejected these challenges, emphasizing his commitment to transformative politics over popularity.
“I didn’t enter politics to win a popularity contest. My sole focus has always been to improve our country,” Starmer stated.
He recounted overcoming skepticism when he assumed party leadership, noting that critics doubted his ability to reform Labour and win elections. Starmer asserted, “We achieved a landslide victory, and now the goal is to change the country. I will be judged on this at the next election.”
When asked by Times Radio’s Kate McCann whether he would step aside if another leader had a better chance of winning, Starmer reaffirmed his mandate, saying he intends to fulfill the electoral promise to transform the nation.
Regarding his relationship with Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, Starmer expressed no personal grievances despite recent tensions. Asked by Sky News’ Beth Rigby if he wished Burnham would “just shut up,” Starmer responded:
“Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as Manchester’s mayor. I’ve worked closely with him to reset the dynamic between Westminster and local mayors. There’s no personal issue whatsoever.”
Burnham’s recent criticisms and hints at challenging Starmer’s leadership sparked frustration among Starmer’s supporters. However, as the conference concludes, many believe Burnham has overreached, diminishing his immediate threat to Starmer’s position.
Starmer has also defended Labour’s focus on Nigel Farage and Reform UK, despite arguments that this attention amplifies a minor party and shifts the political discourse toward immigration and border control-areas where Reform UK polls strongly-rather than core Labour issues like healthcare.
In an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, Starmer acknowledged the importance of confronting what he described as “the fight of our times.” He warned that ignoring the rise of parties like Reform UK would be a serious political error, noting similar patterns of centre-right party decline across Europe.
“Pretending this challenge doesn’t exist and avoiding the fight would be a grave mistake for our country,” Starmer said.
In response to claims by Nigel Farage that Starmer’s rhetoric endangers Reform UK activists by provoking the “radical left,” Starmer dismissed these accusations during a GB News interview.
“No, not at all. This is a political battle about the future direction of our nation,” he asserted.
When pressed on whether his confrontational language mirrored Farage’s own tactics, Starmer maintained that the stakes are unusually high, describing the contest as fundamentally different from traditional Labour-Conservative rivalries. He warned that a Reform UK government would deeply fracture the country.
Meanwhile, Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s policy chief, accused Starmer of inciting violence against Farage and claimed that parliamentary security for Farage had been drastically reduced, with party donors stepping in to compensate.
Starmer has clarified that he does not believe Farage or his supporters are racist, distinguishing this from his criticism of Reform UK’s recent migration policy, which he labeled as racist due to its potential to forcibly remove hundreds of thousands of long-term residents with indefinite leave to remain.
In a notable BBC interview, Starmer explicitly called the policy racist, signaling a strategic shift in Labour’s approach to countering Reform UK, which currently leads Labour by approximately ten points in polls. This stance has led to frequent, sometimes awkward, questions about whether Farage himself is racist.
“No, nor do I think Reform voters are racist. They are concerned about border control and frustrated by rapid change,” Starmer explained in a Sky News interview with Beth Rigby. “I’m making a crucial distinction between deporting illegal immigrants, which I support, and removing lawful migrants who have contributed to our society for years. The latter would tear our country apart.”
Starmer reiterated in other interviews that he is not accusing Reform UK voters of racism.
ITV’s Robert Peston highlighted polling data indicating that many voters perceive Reform UK supporters as racist, suggesting Starmer’s view diverges from public opinion.
Additionally, Starmer announced plans to review how British courts interpret certain provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address the issue of small boat crossings, which he referred to as “Farage boats” due to their surge following Brexit.
This review aims to tighten legal frameworks to better manage migration challenges, reflecting Labour’s broader strategy to confront Reform UK’s influence on immigration debates.
During an interview, Peston challenged Starmer on how he could label a policy as racist without attributing the same label to its supporters. Starmer responded by reiterating the explanation he previously shared with Sky News, stating:
“I am not accusing Reform UK voters of racism. The majority are simply expressing their concerns and frustrations, desiring change and advocating for stronger border controls, which I also support. This stance is not rooted in racism.”
Starmer’s clarification highlights a distinction between condemning a policy and judging the individuals who back it. He emphasizes that many supporters are motivated by legitimate concerns about immigration and national security, rather than racial prejudice. This perspective invites a more nuanced understanding of political support, where the focus is on policy implications rather than personal character judgments.
By separating the policy from its proponents, Starmer aims to engage with the underlying issues driving voter sentiment, such as border security and the desire for reform, without alienating those who hold these views. This approach encourages dialogue and understanding, rather than division based on assumptions about voters’ motives.
Summary of Key Developments
-
Lucy Powell highlights a growing sense of alienation among Labour members from the government, warning this could dampen their enthusiasm. Speaking at the party’s annual conference alongside deputy leadership contender Bridget Phillipson, Powell positioned herself as a grassroots advocate, contrasting with what she described as a sometimes detached leadership.
-
Labour is reportedly considering introducing fees for employees who wish to bring employment tribunal claims against their employers. This move, seen by unions as a setback, revives a Conservative-era proposal aimed at offsetting Ministry of Justice costs. The plan, reportedly agreed during Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s June spending review, would mark a significant shift in workers’ access to justice.
-
In a Sky News interview, Keir Starmer dismissed former President Trump’s assertion that sharia law has been implemented in London as “nonsense” and “rubbish.” When pressed on whether the claim was racist, given London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Muslim faith, Starmer refrained from labeling it as such, reiterating only that it was nonsense.
-
Starmer expressed no personal animosity towards Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, despite recent tensions. Asked if he wished Burnham would “just shut up,” Starmer responded diplomatically. The mayor’s recent criticisms and hints at leadership ambitions had stirred controversy, but the threat to Starmer’s position appears to have diminished as the conference concludes.
-
Addressing the issue of migrant crossings, Starmer referred to the small boats as “Farage boats,” linking their rise to post-Brexit changes. He indicated plans to review how British courts interpret international law, particularly the European Convention on Human Rights, to better manage deportations and border control.
-
A report from the UK’s Brexit watchdog reveals that many EU nationals residing long-term in the UK face discrimination in employment and public services. Five years after Brexit, over one-third of these individuals report experiencing bias from public institutions.
-
Keir Starmer arrived in Denmark ahead of the European Political Community summit, where the Danish Prime Minister described Europe as engaged in a “hybrid war” with Russia. The UK Prime Minister’s visit underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts amid geopolitical tensions.
-
Public approval for digital identification cards has plummeted following Starmer’s announcement of their introduction. Polling by More in Common shows net support dropping from 35% earlier in the summer to -14%, reflecting widespread skepticism about the policy.
-
Amnesty International UK voiced concerns over Starmer’s intention to reassess the application of certain human rights laws in deportation cases. The focus is on Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect against torture and uphold the right to family life.
-
The Metropolitan Police have charged 134 individuals with offenses related to support for the banned Palestine Action group in London. The latest 20 protesters, arrested in August, have been formally summoned to appear in court later this year under terrorism legislation.
-
Selfridges has reported a decline in annual sales, attributing the drop to fewer international luxury shoppers and reduced consumer confidence. The upscale department store’s sales fell 7% to £775 million in the 48 weeks ending January 2025, continuing a five-year streak of losses.
-
The Scottish budget announcement may be moved forward by two days, according to the finance committee convener. Finance Secretary Shona Robison had initially planned to unveil tax and spending plans on January 15, influenced by the UK government’s delayed budget release.
Labour Members Express Disconnection from Government, Says Lucy Powell
At the Labour party conference, Lucy Powell emphasized that many party members feel increasingly detached from the government, risking a loss of engagement. Powell, recently removed from the cabinet, framed herself as a representative of the grassroots, aiming to bridge the gap between leadership and members.
Her deputy leadership rival, Bridget Phillipson, who is favored by Keir Starmer’s camp, warned that electing Powell could lead to internal strife and weaken the government’s cohesion.
Phillipson stated, “Our focus should be on revitalizing the government, not fostering division. The upcoming election offers a choice: to push for bolder policies with me as your advocate in cabinet, or to risk disunity that benefits our political opponents.”
Powell responded by clarifying that she seeks constructive dialogue rather than conflict, stressing the importance of addressing challenges to improve the party’s connection with its base.
When asked about government missteps, Phillipson pointed to controversies surrounding welfare and winter fuel payments but also highlighted achievements. Powell attributed some errors to decision-making becoming increasingly centralized and disconnected from local communities and activists.
Labour Considers Tribunal Fees Amid Business Pressure
Labour is exploring the possibility of charging workers fees to file employment tribunal claims, a move that has sparked concern among unions. This proposal, reminiscent of a Conservative plan from early 2024, aims to recoup costs within the Ministry of Justice budget.
Sources indicate that Chancellor Rachel Reeves approved the initiative during the June spending review as part of broader fiscal tightening measures.
The previous Conservative government had suggested a £55 fee for tribunal claims, but the plan was shelved following Labour’s election victory.
Metropolitan Police Charge 134 Over Palestine Action Support
Authorities have formally charged 134 individuals accused of supporting the banned Palestine Action group in London. The latest 20 defendants, arrested in August, have received court summonses under the Terrorism Act and are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November.
Keir Starmer Arrives in Denmark Amid Rising European Security Concerns
Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Copenhagen ahead of the European Political Community summit, where Denmark’s leader described the continent as engaged in a “hybrid war” with Russia. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its defenses in response to ongoing geopolitical threats.
Labour Accelerates Plans for Complete Fracking Ban
Ed Miliband announced Labour’s intention to fast-track legislation imposing a total ban on fracking. This policy move aims to prevent future governments, including potential Reform UK administrations, from resuming fracking activities.
Environment correspondent Helena Horton provides an in-depth explanation of the implications and mechanisms of this ban.
Public enthusiasm for digital ID cards has sharply declined following Keir Starmer’s announcement to implement them, a development critics have dubbed the prime minister’s “reverse Midas touch.”
According to recent polling by More in Common, net approval for digital ID cards plunged from a positive 35% in early summer to a negative 14% shortly after Starmer’s declaration.
This shift indicates the proposal’s popularity has been significantly undermined by its association with an unpopular administration. In June, a majority of 53% supported the idea of digital ID cards for all UK citizens, while only 19% opposed it.
Starmer unveiled plans last Friday to introduce a nationwide digital ID system, describing it as a “tremendous opportunity” for the UK that would help “combat illegal employment.”
However, post-announcement polling reveals only 31% back the scheme, with 45% opposing it, including 32% who are strongly against it. Over 2.6 million individuals have signed a petition opposing the rollout of digital IDs.
Proponents of the digital ID initiative express frustration over the negative framing of the policy and fear it may never come to fruition.
Selfridges attributes a decline in international luxury shoppers and diminished consumer confidence to a drop in annual sales, marking its fifth consecutive year of losses.
The prestigious department store chain reported a 7% decrease in sales over the 48 weeks ending 4 January 2025, totaling £775 million compared to £835 million during the previous 53-week period.
Although losses narrowed to nearly £16 million from almost £42 million the year before, Selfridges has not recorded a pre-tax profit since 2019, prior to the pandemic-induced closures.
Selfridges Group operates four UK locations, including its flagship Oxford Street store in London, two outlets in Manchester, and one in Birmingham, alongside its e-commerce platform.
The Scottish budget announcement date may be moved up by two days, according to the convener of Holyrood’s finance committee.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison had initially indicated she was “inclined” to present the tax and spending plans on 15 January, following the UK government’s budget release at the end of November.
The finance and public administration committee expressed concerns that this timing would not allow sufficient scrutiny, advocating for an earlier date by a week.
At a conveners group meeting, Kenneth Gibson stated: “While the committee preferred the 7th, after discussions with the Finance Secretary, we agreed that Tuesday, 13 January, strikes a reasonable balance-giving the government extra time post-New Year without compromising parliamentary review, which a Thursday announcement might.”
Expert reactions to Ed Miliband’s fracking ban announcement highlight the policy’s divisiveness and implications for UK energy strategy.
Alasdair Johnstone, head of parliamentary engagement at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), commented:
“Fracking remains a contentious issue and was a key factor in the downfall of the Truss administration. Public opinion clearly divides energy policy, with fracking opposed by twice as many people as support it, whereas solar farms enjoy broad approval.”
“Anyone who has faced recent energy bills understands the volatility of gas prices. Fracking in the UK would not stabilize these fluctuations. Instead, expanding wind and solar capacity is shielding the UK from such price swings, and electric heat pumps are reducing reliance on imported gas for heating.”
Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, added:
“The proposed fracking ban formalizes the moratorium reinstated by Rishi Sunak’s government in 2022 after the British Geological Survey found that fracking can induce earthquakes capable of causing structural damage.”
“While the exact size of economically recoverable shale gas reserves in the UK is uncertain, current estimates suggest they are insufficient to significantly influence global natural gas prices or reduce costs for UK consumers.”
Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, offered a contrasting view:
“Rachel Reeves recently emphasized her commitment to energy security and preference for domestic oil and gas over imports. Yet, Ed Miliband’s announcement of a fracking ban-central to the US energy revolution-comes as consumer bills continue to rise.”
“Labour must decide whether it prioritizes ideology or practical solutions for everyday people. Currently, ideology appears to be prevailing in energy policy.”
Amnesty International voices apprehension over proposed review of ECHR application in asylum cases, emphasizing the inviolability of Article 3
Amnesty International UK has raised concerns following Keir Starmer’s remarks on reviewing the interpretation of certain human rights provisions in deportation cases, specifically Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect against torture and uphold the right to family life.
Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, stated:
“Article 3, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, is absolute. It represents one of the most essential human rights safeguards and cannot be diluted or reinterpreted for political expediency.”
“There is no middle ground between acceptable and unacceptable mistreatment. If deportation would expose an individual to conditions legally defined as inhuman or degrading, the UK is both legally and morally bound to prevent it.”
“At a time when refugees and migrants are increasingly scapegoated and politicized, it is vital that government officials reaffirm, rather than question, the UK’s unwavering commitment to the absolute ban on torture and inhuman treatment.”
The Green Party has applauded the announcement of a comprehensive fracking ban but criticized reports suggesting Ed Miliband may permit expanded North Sea oil and gas extraction.
Green MP Carla Denyer remarked:
“Labour’s decision to finally end fracking-a practice that is unsafe, environmentally destructive, and widely opposed-is commendable.”
“However, what was not highlighted in Ed Miliband’s speech is his consideration of yielding to the demands of major oil and gas corporations by diluting the promised ban on new North Sea drilling.”
“Such a move would betray the public’s urgent call for decisive government action to secure a sustainable future for current and future generations.”
Lucy Powell pledges constructive engagement as Labour’s deputy leader, ready to address challenges candidly
Powell emphasized that her role is within the party, not the government, stating:
“Engaging in this debate is not dissent but a necessary dialogue on how we can improve, because the stakes are incredibly high.”
“I will not avoid difficult conversations, but I also won’t undermine from the sidelines.”
“Having served as the backbenchers’ representative this past year, I will continue to be your advocate.”
“We all want this government to succeed, as our leader Keir Starmer said, we are now in the fight of our lives.”
Bridget Phillipson warns that a Powell victory could lead to ‘division and disunity,’ risking Labour’s return to opposition
In her closing remarks, Phillipson urged unity and boldness:
“Our goal should be to transform this government, not to turn against one another.”
“The upcoming election offers a choice about the kind of change we want.”
“You can support a government that is more ambitious and effective, with me as your voice at the cabinet table.”
“Or you can choose division and discord, which the right-wing media will exploit, pushing us back into opposition.”
Keir Starmer’s Labour Conference: Key Developments and Political Dynamics
The 2025 Labour conference has become a focal point for UK politics, with significant discussions shaping the party’s future direction. Central to the event is the contest for the deputy leadership, where Lucy Powell’s potential victory is drawing considerable attention. Her win could signal a shift in Labour’s internal balance, influencing policy priorities and party strategy.
Labour leader Keir Starmer is navigating a complex political landscape, balancing calls for progressive reforms with the need to appeal to a broad electorate. The conference serves as a platform for Starmer to consolidate support and outline his vision for the party’s role in addressing pressing national issues, including economic recovery and social justice.
Meanwhile, the presence of figures like Nigel Farage and the ongoing debates around Brexit continue to impact the political discourse. Farage’s Reform UK party remains a vocal critic of Labour’s approach, particularly on immigration and sovereignty, adding layers of challenge to Starmer’s leadership.
Environmental concerns, especially the contentious topic of fracking, are also prominent at the conference. Labour’s stance on sustainable energy and climate change is under scrutiny, with activists and party members urging stronger commitments to green policies. This debate reflects the broader tension between economic development and environmental responsibility.
Adding to the complexity, voices from within the party, such as Bridget Phillipson and Ed Miliband, contribute to shaping the narrative around Labour’s future. Their perspectives highlight the diversity of thought within the party, emphasizing the need for unity amid differing views on policy and leadership.
In the backdrop, global issues and technological advancements, including discussions about figures like Elon Musk, influence the political conversation. These elements underscore the interconnectedness of domestic politics with international trends and innovations.
As the conference progresses, the outcomes of leadership contests and policy debates will be pivotal in defining Labour’s trajectory ahead of upcoming elections. The party’s ability to present a cohesive and compelling agenda remains crucial in its quest to regain power and address the challenges facing the UK.
