Neil Kinnock endorses Lucy Powell ahead of crunch Labour deputy leader vote

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has endorsed Lucy Powell in the deputy leadership race.

Lord Kinnock threw his weight behind the "outstanding" Manchester Central MP, saying she would ensure the whole Labour movement was heard.

It comes after Labour heavyweight Alan Johnson backed her rival Bridget Phillipson in the race to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader.

Voting will begin on Wednesday, with the result due to be announced on October 25.

Lord Kinnock said: “I’ve known Lucy as a friend and comrade for over 20 years. She is totally Labour and embodies the basic truth that it is vital that the broad Labour movement is heard and heeded.

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“Our sustained values of justice, equity and liberty offer the principled and practical policies that our country, our world, need.

"Lucy will insist upon that reality as an elected Deputy Leader who will give distinctive and reasoning support to our Government. I have no doubt she will be an outstanding Deputy Leader in the best traditions of our Party.”

Ms Powell said: "I’m absolutely delighted to have his support, it means a lot. As Deputy Leader, I’ll be the members voice, connecting us more strongly to the communities we serve. I want this Labour government to succeed. Our movement is our strength.

"We can be better if we listen to broader voices and make a stronger case of whose side we are on and in whose interests we serve."

Earlier, Labour former Home Secretary Alan Johnson gave his backing to Ms Phillipson, the Education Secretary, saying she was "one of Labour's star performers" who would "help tell a better story" about the party's achievements.

Mr Johnson, who also served as Education Secretary, said Ms Phillipson had "excelled" in "one of the most difficult cabinet roles".

He said: "We need a deputy leader who will show voters how this Government will improve their lives, as well as tell a better story about Labour's historic mission towards the abolition of poverty and greater equality.

"Already, in one of the most difficult cabinet roles, she has excelled and I back Bridget to bring together the coalition of voters currently drifting both left and right who could form the bedrock of the next Labour election victory."

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