Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell has claimed that outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer "lost the dressing room", resulting in his resignation. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Powell told presenter Victoria Derbyshire that Starmer's departure mirrored a football manager who loses the support of the team.
Asked why Labour was effectively removing the Prime Minister, Powell said: "Well, look, I mean, I think it's not me getting rid of him, but I want to focus really on the positive contributions that he has made, but as he said himself on the steps of Downing Street on Monday – we're here in the middle of the World Cup, aren't we? When the manager loses the dressing room, the manager often takes the decision that it's the time for them to go, and I think that's the decision that he has made."
Powell added that Starmer had served the party well and deserved gratitude, but it was time to move on to a new phase. She also addressed speculation about the next leader, with Andy Burnham widely expected to succeed Starmer.
Powell Backs Ed Miliband as Chancellor
When asked whether Ed Miliband would be a good Chancellor amid reports he is Burnham's first choice, Powell said: "Yes I do actually, but actually I think this is a slightly distracting conversation, because I think we've all got a really important job to do." She emphasised that the cost of living should be the focus, not "tittle-tattle" about Cabinet positions.
Powell expressed a desire to see a woman lead Labour at some stage. Asked whether she was disappointed another man was set to take the top job, she said: "Well, look, I mean, actually, what I'll also say is, I was working out this morning, I joined the Labour Party in the 1980s and actually in that time we've only, since Neil Kinnock, we've only had six leaders of the Labour Party. So we do generally keep leaders for quite a few years in the Labour Party."
She added: "Of course, I'd like to see a woman leader at some stage, but this is a difficult job that brings a huge amount of exposure to your, to yourself, to your family, you know. It really is a relentless job, and I'm just glad that actually someone does want to do it. And I'm pleased that actually what it looks like is that we're probably going to have just one candidate in Andy Burnham."
Speculation Over Cabinet Positions Dismissed
Earlier in the interview, Powell described speculation about Cabinet positions under a potential Burnham government as "unedifying". She urged the party to focus on the cost-of-living crisis rather than internal politicking.
