Experienced Labour heavyweight becomes shadow housing spokesperson

Labour’s new housing spokesperson is the experienced MP Lucy Powell, who until last weekend was shadow business and consumer affairs minister. 

She replaces Thangam Debbonaire, who has been moved to become shadow Leader of the House of Commons. 

The low profile Steve Reed, MP for Croydon North, will remain as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, shadowing Robert Jenrick. 

Powell's appointment came in the controversial reshuffle from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's poor performance in the elections held last Thursday. 

Powell has tweeted: "Really pleased to become the shadow housing secretary - some really big issues to tackle from cladding, housing crisis, private rented sector, homelessness and providing decent housing for all, to name a few. I will really miss my role as shadow business minister." 

Powell, 46, is massively more experienced in politics than was Debbonaire.

Powell was elected to Parliament in 2012, having previously worked in campaigning and public relations roles for the Labour Party itself and the pro-EU organisation Britain in Europe.

She was a shadow cabinet office minister and vice-chairperson of the Labour Party for the 2015 General Election, and then became shadow sectreary of state for education in the early months of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. 

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