Not a surprise.

 On only 16 per cent of the Labour Party, decided to vote for the deputy leadership of the party. As anticipated Lucy Powell, has become the new deputy leader of the Labour Party as I predicted on Wednesday - after Angela Rayner, was forced to resign, due to her financial difficulties about tax and her flat in Hove. Powell will not be a member of the cabinet but will attend the political cabinet. She will not be the deputy prime minister - as the role is now occupied by David Lammy, the Justice secretary. The votes for the candidates were as follows: Bridget Phillipson, 73,536 and Lucy Powell 87,407. So a clear majority for Powell, but not a landslide. In her acceptance speech, she emphasised - ‘the need to offer hope and give a stronger sense of purpose and Labour values’. Given the dire results in the election on Thursday in Caerphilly, where the party came third, there is a great deal of work to do. Morale is low in the party and there is growing discontent with the prime minister. A Labour Party in power, but lacking leadership and direction. Time is running out to change direction and we have in May next year a number of important elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Do badly and Keir Starmer, will be kicked out and holding a P45.