Who is Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell and what's her stance on Palestine?

MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell has become deputy leader of the Labour Party after beating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson by almost 14,000 votes.

Who is Lucy Powell?

Lucy Powell has been MP for Manchester Central since 2012 after winning a by-election. She held various shadow positions while Labour were in opposition, including Shadow Childcare and Early Years Minister under Ed Miliband, and Shadow Education Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn. She resigned from the latter role after being dissatisfied with Corbyn, describing his leadership as "untenable."

Powell endorsed Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour leadership election and held several roles in his shadow cabinet. After the 2024 general election, Powell was appointed Leader of the House of Commons. She was ousted in a cabinet reshuffle in September 2025, a move which she was reportedly unhappy about.

During her campaign for deputy leader, Powell presented herself as an independent figure who could provide an alternative voice to Starmer's government for the party. She received 87,407 votes in the election, beating Education Secretary Brudget Phillipson by 13,871 votes.

What has Lucy Powell said about Palestine?

Since the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel, Lucy Powell has frequently spoken about the Israel-Palestine conflict in the House of Commons. She advocates for the two-state solution and has previously called for a ceasefire and the return of all Israeli captives.

In October 2023, Powell made a statement in the Commons saying that Israel has a right to defend itself, but emphasised that international law must be upheld. In that speech, she also said that there "must be immediate humanitarian access to Gaza."

In an appearance on Question Time in February 2024, Powell referenced the famine in Gaza, calling it a tragedy, and advocated for a sustainable ceasefire. She then accused Scottish National Party MP Drew Hendry of "attacking" her after he said she should call for an "immediate" ceasefire.

We all want to see an end to the fighting, loss of life and humatarian crisis ensuing in Gaza; and for a sustainable and permanent ceasefire to allow for a political process a two state solution with a free and recognised Palestine alongside a safe and secure Israel. Watch… pic.twitter.com/AVWUwBpCus

— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) February 17, 2024

How has Lucy Powell voted on Palestine-related issues?

In July 2025, while still a member of the government, Powell voted in favour of declaring Palestine Action a terrorist organisation. She was absent from a November 2023 vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. A number of her frontbench colleagues, including Jess Phillips, resigned to vote in favour of the motion. Powell, though absent from the vote, retained her position.

Powell voted against a January 2024 bill to prevent public bodies from being influenced by political or moral disapproval of foreign states. The bill, which passed, bars public officials from considering a state's moral standing when dealing with official business. The Conservative government that introduced the bill singled out Israel as a country that would benefit.

Is Lucy Powell associated with Labour Friends for Israel or Labour Friends of Palestine?

Powell is a member of Labour Friends of Israel, according to a 2025 list of ministers' interests from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. She is also a member of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East.

Founded in 1957, Labour Friends of Israel is a group which advocates for a strong relationship between the Labour Party and Israel. As of April 2024, when Labour Friends of Israel's parliamentary supporters list was last available, 30 per cent of Labour MPs supported the group.

Similarly, Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East was set up in 2009 to advocate for Palestinians and promote peace in the Middle East.

In September 2025, Powell, along with other supporters of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, met the UK's ambassador of Palestine to celebrate the recognition of Palestine.