We still need a new workers’ party

Ben Goldstone, Croydon and Sutton Socialist Party

Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central and recently ousted from Starmer’s cabinet, won the race to be deputy leader of the Labour Party, against Bridget Phillipson, current Education Secretary. Powell received 87,407 votes, nearly 14,000 more than Phillipson, on a turnout of 16.6%.

Phillipson was Keir Starmer’s choice. Powell’s win will likely be used by some trade union leaders and others to argue for the unions to back opposition figures in Labour – a diversion from the urgent need for a new workers’ party. A reflection of Labour’s unpopularity, it is worth noting that Unite refused to promote either of the candidates, after a vote on its EC.

Angela Rayner, supposed ‘friend of the unions’, was deputy leader for a year, but that didn’t stop Starmer from attacking the working class as soon as he got into Number 10 – winter fuel payments, tuition fee hikes, attacking disabled people’s benefits and more! She was a member of Unite until she was suspended for backing strike-breaking by Labour-run Birmingham City Council against striking bin workers, members of Unite. Powell herself has said what bin workers have been offered was a “reasonable deal on the table”, despite it meaning workers could lose a third of their salaries, for some up to £8,000!

Labour is not a party that represents the needs of the working class, and a new deputy leader isn’t going to change that. That is why we need to continue to fight for a new mass workers’ party, armed with a socialist programme, that will!