The Labour Deputy Leadership Race and The Mandelson Sacking. Week 08-14/09/25

 

This week in UK Politics…

The new political season has only just begun, but Labour has already faced two significant challenges: the sacking of Angela Rayner as Deputy PM and the removal of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States. Both stories have dominated headlines and distracted from the government’s intended relaunch of “phase two” under Sir Keir Starmer.

For many young people, who often feel ignored or sidelined by politics, these scandals don’t just feel like Westminster drama. They shape how the next generation sees politics — whether it can be trusted, whether it can deliver change, and whether it even speaks to their priorities.

The Deputy Leadership Race

Angela Rayner’s resignation last week triggered a rapid contest for her successor. Labour has moved quickly, narrowing the field to two candidates:

• Bridget Phillipson – Secretary of State for Education

• Lucy Powell – former Leader of the Commons, sacked from the Cabinet in last week’s reshuffle

Both cleared the 80-nomination threshold, with Phillipson receiving 175 and Powell 117. The result will be announced on 25 October.

For young people, this leadership race is not just an internal Labour story — it has direct consequences. Education is one of the biggest issues affecting under-25s, and Phillipson’s position as Education Secretary means her campaign could shine a spotlight on schools, exams, and funding. But questions have been asked about Phillipson's policies- whether they are in the best interest for young people and schools or if they are in the interests of the unions. Powell, meanwhile, has placed greater emphasis on political participation, including tackling the barriers that prevent young people from voting and getting involved in decision-making.

The speed of the process means the contest will overlap with Labour’s Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. That raises concerns that headline-grabbing leadership battles could drown out the very policy announcements that matter to students, apprentices, and young workers — from tuition fees and university funding, to housing affordability and job opportunities in emerging industries.

The Mandelson Sacking

The second major story was the dismissal of Peter Mandelson from his role as UK Ambassador to Washington. His removal came after new documents linked him more closely to Jeffrey Epstein than previously acknowledged.

• A “birthday book” for Epstein’s 50th included a note from Mandelson calling him his “best pal.”

• Emails from 2008 showed Mandelson offering Epstein support during his prosecution, encouraging him to “fight for early release.”

• Mandelson has since expressed regret, calling Epstein a “charismatic criminal liar.”

For many young people, this kind of revelation reinforces cynicism. Surveys consistently show that trust in politicians is far lower among younger generations than older ones. Stories like this — where someone in one of the country’s top diplomatic roles is removed because of questionable judgement and a lack of transparency — fuel the belief that politics is about connections and self-preservation rather than integrity and public service.

There are also international implications. For a generation that sees itself as global and outward-looking, especially through study, travel, and climate activism, having the UK’s ambassador to the United States dismissed in scandal undermines confidence in Britain’s credibility abroad.

Why this matters for young people

These twin controversies point to a broader problem: distraction. Labour entered September with a promise to focus on stability, policy, and delivery. Instead, it has spent the past fortnight dealing with resignations, scandals, and leadership wrangles.

The risk for young people is that this turbulence delays action on the areas they consistently highlight as priorities:

• Education reform – With questions over curriculum changes, exams, and tuition fees, clarity is urgently needed.

• Climate and green jobs – The government has promised opportunities in renewable energy and green industries, but announcements risk being overshadowed.

• Cost of living and housing – Younger people face the sharpest rise in rent and bills. Policy pledges have been light, and political drama keeps pushing these issues down the agenda.

• Democratic trust – Each new scandal deepens the perception that politics is detached from the concerns of ordinary citizens, especially younger ones.

Final Thoughts

Labour hoped to relaunch this autumn with fresh ideas and a reputation for steady, scandal-free government. Instead, Angela Rayner's resignation and Mandelson revelations have dominated headlines. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer hard on his judgement, contrasting Labour’s internal problems with her own sharper performance this week.

The Deputy Leadership contest will conclude on 25 October, but in the meantime the Party Conference in Liverpool later this month will be a crucial test. Can Starmer shift the conversation back onto policy, particularly on the issues young people care about most? Or will Labour’s attempts to connect with the next generation be drowned out by more talk of scandal and personal battles at the top?

For many young people watching from the sidelines, the answer may determine not just their faith in the Government, but their trust in politics itself.

Westminster Weekly,

Every Sunday,

Written by Gruffydd Morris, 

Chief Political Editor,

Young & Political

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