“It's not a matter of if economies around the world becoming low-carbon, but when and how: through struggle and strife or through advancement and progressive leadership. Larry Elliot described it today as the 'Green New Deal.' It's a leadership we in Britain can provide, and from which our economy can benefit.”
— Lucy Powell
Leadership
“For sure, the 'Obamania' that's fast taking hold reflects an incredible thirst for change in global politics and, dare I say, a wave of optimism that things can be different.”
— Lucy Powell
Politics
“I just hope that the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people prevails. If it does we must move quickly to help restore stability and prosperity.”
— Lucy Powell
Hope
“The Tories and the Lib Dems talk about social mobility, but, short of winning the lottery, the only way to guarantee young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to do better and to raise aspirations is through education.”
— Lucy Powell
Education
“It's become unfashionable to celebrate political achievement, and Labour achievement even less so. And it's positively uncouth to be proud of something that this Labour government is doing. So, slam me for saying so, but I'm really proud of the NHS.”
— Lucy Powell
Government
“These are tough times and under this Tory-led government many people in Manchester are suffering and getting left behind. If elected I will use all my energy, skills, experience and knowledge to stand up for our communities and get things done for the better.”
— Lucy Powell
Experience
“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
Politics
“What the Lib Dems have failed to do is offer any meaningful agenda for government or for power.”
— Lucy Powell
Government
“There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.”
— Lucy Powell
Faith
“At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.”
— Lucy Powell
Society
“As the economy faces such difficulties, more tough questions need to be asked about what the Tories would do if elected. Their ideology of free markets and small government needs challenging. That has to be part of our job.”
— Lucy Powell
Government
“I have run a general election campaign pregnant and ran Ed Miliband's leadership campaign commuting to London with a new baby so I already have my system set up.”
— Lucy Powell
Leadership
“In Scotland, the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least, Labour voters are satisfied with their government.”
— Lucy Powell
Government
“As a relatively young woman - I'm 33 - I hope to one day have a family and already have commitments. If and when I'm elected as an MP, I would face a choice: take my family with me to London each week or be apart for four, maybe five, nights a week.”
— Lucy Powell
Hope
“In the industrial revolution Britain led the world in advances that enabled mass production: trade exchanges, transportation, factory technology and new skills needed for the new industrialised world.”
— Lucy Powell
Technology
“Today the demands are for even higher standards in the quality of care, for greater flexibility and convenience in treatment times, and for more prevention through screening and health checks.”
— Lucy Powell
Health
“The Labour party has done more than any other to address gender inequalities, through legislation and other means, and to increase women's representation in politics, which has led to recent increases in the number of female politicians.”
— Lucy Powell
Politics
“Some argue that now isn't the time to push the green agenda - that all efforts should be on preventing a serious recession. That is a false choice. It fails to recognise that climate change and our carbon reliance is part of problem - high fuel prices and food shortages due to poor crop yields compound today's financial difficulties.”
— Lucy Powell
Change
“Being out and about talking to residents and representing their views is, in my view, as important to politics as the grandstanding that takes place in Westminster.”
— Lucy Powell
Politics
“As the prospect of a Tory government gets nearer, many traditional Labour voters - some who switched away in recent times and many who stayed at home - seem more determined to prevent that happening.”
— Lucy Powell
Government