Education secretary says now is not time to ‘look backwards’ as Powell vows to be ‘independent voice’

Education secretary and Manchester MP are only candidates to clear threshold to enter party members’ ballot

Ex-Commons leader says she wants Downing Street to be better connected to MPs and that she would deliver difficult truths to PM

The Education Secretary kicked off her campaign in her home town of Sunderland seeking to reunify the fractious party after the resignation of Angela Rayner.

Education secretary says now is not time to ‘look backwards’ as Powell vows to be ‘independent voice’

A survey of members found Lucy Powell (pictured) enjoys a huge advantage over her rival Bridget Phillipson - Downing Street's de facto candidate.