Labour deputy leader’s views on party policy are ‘irritating’, says Labour peer
Former shadow culture minister Thangam Debbonaire said Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell’s views on party policy “really pissed me off”.
A Labor official accused Ms Powell of “running commentary and undermining the government” after she said plans to break her manifesto promise of tax rises would damage “trust in politics”.
Ms Powell had said the government “must follow through” on its commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT, amid growing speculation that Rachel Reeves was preparing to do so in the Budget.
Speaking to Times Radio on Friday, Baroness Debbonaire said: “This really bothers me… She clearly said, ‘I’m here to support the government.’
“He shouldn’t be there because he keeps commenting and undermining, he’s a member of the Parliamentary Labor Party…
“I would really urge Lucy to think about the key role in the Labor Party for the deputy leader to go out and campaign, and we desperately need that.”
Ms Powell, who was sacked from Sir Keir’s Cabinet in September, went on to win the race to replace Angela Rayner as party deputy leader last month after a campaign based on calls for the party to change course.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday, he said: “Of course we have to follow our manifesto.
“Trust in politics is an important part of this because if we’re going to take the country on our side, they need to trust us and that’s really important too.”
Ms Powell said the much-anticipated budget should be about “putting more money in the pockets of ordinary working people”.
He added: “That’s what the manifesto commitment is all about. And I’m sure that’s what this Budget will be about.”
“It’s really important that we stand by the promises we made when we were elected and do the things we said we would do.”
It comes after the Chancellor told the country in a major speech last week that he would see huge tax rises in his budget, warning that “we must all contribute” to building a new future for Britain.
Vowing to put the national interest above “political interests”, Ms Reeves signaled she was prepared to break Labor’s manifesto pledge not to increase income tax, personal national insurance or VAT.
Meanwhile, Times It said the Chancellor had told the Office for Budget Responsibility that he was preparing to raise income tax later this month.
A spokesman for Ms. Powell later said she would continue to support the chancellor.
“As Lucy made clear in the interview, the chancellor and prime minister make budget decisions on tour.
“As the Chancellor said this week, the context of this Budget is particularly difficult and Lucy will continue to support them on these issues.”
