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Keir Starmer's defeat in Labour's deputy leadership contest is a calamity for him. The only question now is whether his MPs move against him before or after next year's local elections. Technically, this was a fight between former Leader of the House Lucy Powell and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. But, in truth, it was a referendum on Sir Keir's toxic premiership. The verdict from his party was damning. Ms Phillipson ran on a ticket of continuity and support for the PM's project. She had to be virtually press-ganged into it. Powell, in contrast, kept hammering the message that if Labour didn't change course, they were doomed. And the party's army of activists have spoken. Ms Powell's victory will now create a domino effect: firstly, it will be the signal for the various candidates who could replace Sir Keir to expand their hitherto nascent campaigns. Angela Rayner this week delivered a resignation speech in the Commons that was a thinly disguised leadership pitch. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has lined himself up for the weekend media round. Andy Burnham, one of Ms Powell's closest allies, will feel vindicated by his decision to urge her to run. Many viewed Ms Powell as a stalking horse for Mr Burnham, who has made no secret of his own leadership ambitions. The victory also has a key practical effect. One of the major obstacles to a move against the PM is his perceived control over the Labour machine. That is of particular significance to Mr Burnham, who as Manchester mayor will have to find a way to secure a parliamentary seat. And as deputy leader, Ms Powell can now exert her own internal party power to help him. This result sends the signal that Sir Keir's grip on his party is crumbling. Now it is only a matter of when, not if, he is removed. That's good news for Labour and Britain.
