Lucy Powell promoted to handle Labour's election campaign

In her new role as vice-chair of the election campaign and shadow cabinet office minister, Ms Powell will handle the day-to-day responsibility for campaigning ahead of the general election in six months’ time.

Labour leader Ed Milliband announced the move last night, which will see Ms Powell, who was appointed as shadow childcare and children minister last October, work alongside Douglas Alexander, general election co-ordinator and chief strategist.

Taking over from Ms Powell in her role as shadow children and childcare minister is Alison McGovern, MP for Wirral South and former shadow international development minister.

Alison McGovern was elected MP for Wirral South in 2010, when she also became former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's parliamentary private secretary. In the 2013 Labour reshuffle she was added to the Shadow International Development team.

Before joining Parliament, Ms McGovern was deputy leader of Southwark Labour group of councillors. She has also worked for Network Rail, the Art Fund and Creativity Culture & Education, an international foundation dedicated to ‘unlocking the creativity’ of children and young people.