We in the Labour party know better than most that opposition is the easy part. What's more difficult is governing and setting out an agenda for government. Lucy Powell agendumdifficulteasy Change image and share on social
Globalisation means that for a high-wage, developed economy like Britain's to compete we need to focus our efforts on the highly skilled, added-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, creative industries, engineering and even financial services. Lucy Powell addadvancebritain share on social
Indeed, when all parties campaign effectively the overall effect is to push up voting rates, as you see in tight marginal seats or close general elections. That must be good for democracy. Lucy Powell campaignclosedemocracy Change image and share on social
I wish that Iraq had not happened - and that we had not lost touch with so many of our natural supporters. But this should have provided an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats as a party. Yet their protest gains are now diminishing. Lucy Powell democratdiminishgain share on social
Events are moving so fast and what in one moment seems impossible, the next is happening. I'm sure historians will, in time, provide theories and analysis, but for now I think most of us simply want the tide stemmed. Lucy Powell analysiseventfast share on social
We need to dig deep and give people a reason to be optimistic just as Obama is doing in America. Because in the same way that outcome of the U.S. elections will change the course of events there and around the world, so too do politics here in Britain. Lucy Powell americabritainchange share on social
Team GB's success at the Beijing Olympics can, in part, be said to have been made in Manchester. For example, all the cycling medal winners trained at Manchester's velodrome, the National Cycling Centre. Lucy Powell beijingcentrecycle share on social
Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times. Lucy Powell artchopdifficult Change image and share on social
The lack of available credit and loans is having a severe impact on small businesses in particular, but also their suppliers and the bigger companies too. Lucy Powell bigbusinesscompany Change image and share on social
In the current climate motorists have a long list of issues from which to choose to raise on the doorstep. Policies aimed at reducing emissions - like the changes to Vehicle Excise Duty or here in Manchester the proposals for congestion charges - are not without controversy. Lucy Powell aimchargechoose share on social
