Lucy Powell says Labour has ‘no magic bullet’ as MPs brace for heavy losses in local elections

Deputy leader plays down leadership talk and says party must focus on long-term challenges rather than personnel

Labour’s deputy leader has warned there will be “no magic bullet” to solve Labour’s problems – or major challenges facing the country – as its MPs grapple with how to navigate the fallout out from the local elections.

Lucy Powell told the Guardian she understood there was “huge anger and despondency” from Labour MPs in the aftermath of the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, but said the prime minister would not make a similar mistake again.