Former deputy leadership rivals Phillipson and Powell tasked with modernising Labour's campaign machine

The BBC reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party chair on 28 July 2026. A Labour spokesperson said she will work with deputy leader Lucy Powell to modernise the party for the next general election, due by 2029. The pair competed for the deputy leadership in 2024; Powell won with 54% of members' votes.