Lucy Powell wins race to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy Labour leader in blow to Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer sacked Ms Powell last month during a major Cabinet reshuffle, prompting speculation that Ms Phillipson was No10's choice for the role.

Ms Powell secured 54 per cent of the vote from Labour Party members, while Ms Phillipson trailed behind on 46 per cent.

The turnout for the contest was particularly low at just 16 per cent, compared to 59 per cent in 2020.

However, Ms Powell's victory is also likely to give the Prime Minister a parliamentary headache by exposing the rift within the Labour Party over Sir Keir's leadership.

Following her confirmed victory, Ms Powell sent a direct message to the Prime Minister.

"I am here to help you in that fight as your deputy leader," she said.

But Ms Powell also appeared to give a devastating assessment of Sir Keir's premiership.

"We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs," the Manchester Central MP added.

"People feel that this government is not being bold enough in delivering the kind of change we promised."

Ms Powell, who row back on her previous grooming gang comments in an interview with GB News last month, was not considered as No10's top choice for the job.

As Sir Keir's Education Secretary, Ms Phillipson was considered the Prime Minister's loyalist ally in the race before topping the poll of Labour MPs.

Following Ms Powell's speech, Sir Keir admitted that the result in Caerphilly had been "bad" for Labour.

He also accused Reform and the Tories of wanting to "deport our neighbours" with retrospective changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain status.

The Prime Minister said: "We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see.

"Now, this week, we received another reminder of just how urgent that task is.

"A bad result in Wales, I accept that, but a reminder that people need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled.

"Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division and we have to keep going on that.

"It is the offer we must make to the people of Scotland, Wales and England next year. And that means we must come together. We must unite. We must keep our focus on what is, in my view, the defining battle for the soul of our nation."

Sir Keir also hailed Ms Powell and Ms Phillipson in his congratulatory speech.

The Prime Minister praised both candidates as strong and committed women.

He added that Powell was a "strong defender" of Labour values.

Ms Powell is expected to play a leading role as Labour prepares to campaign across England, Scotland and Wales next May.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed Ms Powell will start "knocking on doors" straight away.