Labour to protect existing MPs above winning more seats at next election, deputy leader says

"Labour will switch to an incumbency first model to protect MPs at the next election rather than targeting seats, the deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has told Labour MPs. Powell said the party would support MPs to become leaders in their communities and learn how to benefit politically from changes made by the government, which MPs have so far gained little credit for. But she also told MPs in the first parliamentary Labour party (PLP) meeting of the year that they needed to stop infighting amid continued discontent with Keir Starmer's leadership."

"MPs will be offered workshops by organisers in Labour HQ on how to take credit for improvements in the local area or for policies directly helping constituents that have been implemented by the Labour government, including frozen rail fares, local community and high street funding and the warm home discount extension. It's a big switch organisationally and politically, a Labour source said."

"Labour HQ and No 10 have made significant overtures to disgruntled backbench MPs over the past few weeks in an effort to shore up Starmer's position and rebuild a semblance of unity in the PLP. MPs have been routinely invited to see the prime minister including receptions at his country retreat, Chequers and backbenchers have been name-checked publicly by the chancellor and No 10 for campaigning for measures that were adopted in the budget or for lobbying for the U-turn on the farming inheritance tax changes."

Labour will adopt an incumbency-first model to protect sitting MPs at the next election rather than focus on targeting specific seats. The party will run workshops at Labour HQ to train MPs to claim credit for local improvements and policies directly helping constituents, including frozen rail fares, local community and high street funding, and the warm home discount extension. Lucy Powell and Anna Turley will lead political work to share best practice and provide tools and training. Labour HQ and No 10 have courted disgruntled backbenchers with meetings and receptions to shore up Starmer and rebuild PLP unity. Powell said MPs needed to stop infighting and warned that dark forces did not want a Labour administration to succeed.

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