Keir Starmer, currently navigating a turbulent period, is encountering more signs of potential leadership challenges, with Angela Rayner now stepping into the spotlight.
The recent failure of the Prime Minister’s attempt to outmaneuver competitors has effectively ignited a leadership race.
In an effort to remain relevant in the political arena, Rayner has granted her first significant interview since resigning due to issues surrounding stamp duty underpayment.
Emerging with a critique of perceived ‘arrogance’ within Labour and dismissing Westminster ‘gossip,’ Rayner is positioning herself as the candidate who can unify the party amid the unfolding leadership struggles.
She also seemingly critiqued Wes Streeting, hinting that the Health Secretary is already positioning himself for leadership.
Rumors suggest Rayner is securing support by offering MPs prominent positions, although her supporters have labeled these claims as ‘complete nonsense.’
Angela Rayner has moved to keep herself in the frame by giving her first major interview since quitting for underpaying stamp duty
Wounded Keir Starmer (pictured with Rachel Reeves) is facing more evidence of leadership jostling today
Mr Streeting was seen the biggest winner from Downing Street’s extraordinary self-inflicted disaster last week.
After he was singled out in panicky briefings designed to shore up the PM’s position, the Cabinet minister hit out No10’s ‘toxic culture’ and ‘self-destruction’ – saying those responsible should be sacked.
Sir Keir was left desperately trying to save his long-time ally and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
It then emerged that the premier and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had performed a shambolic U-turn on plans to increase income tax at the Budget, despite weeks of blatant hints.
Labour MPs had been gearing up a bid to kill off the policy, with fears such a blatant breach of the election manifesto would be catastrophic.
Mr Streeting again capitalised on the chaos by declaring that he had never supported the move.
However, while the Health Secretary’s stock has soared, he is still widely seen as too far to the right of Labour to win support from members if there is a contest. He also has a wafer-thin majority to defend in his Commons seat.
In contrast Ms Rayner could rally support from unions and is viewed as the darling of activists.
Although she was forced to apologise and quit over her tax affairs, supporters would point to the conclusions of the PM’s sleaze adviser Sir Laurie Magnus that she had ‘acted with integrity’ despite making a mistake.
The looming Budget and local elections in May appear to be huge moments of danger for Sir Keir.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror during a constituency visit to a care centre, Ms Rayner was asked if a return to frontline politics was on the cards.
She responded that she had not ‘gone away’.
Ms Rayner said: ‘I’m really humbled and I always have been, the people of Ashton-under-Lyne have always supported me.
‘The 10 years that I’ve been in government I’ve had quite a number of front bench positions, and I’ve always brought it back to the people that I was there to represent and having this opportunity now, to be more in the constituency and to champion those views is something that I’m humbled to do and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
‘I’ve got a lot of interests like child poverty, the fair pay agreement, and making sure the Employment Rights Bill is carried out in full.’
Addressing the turmoil in government, Ms Rayner said: ‘I think Wes has clearly set out his stall after what was clearly a very turbulent couple of days and I think being around here for the last hour just shows you actually that that tittle tattle in Westminster it almost looks arrogant when you’ve got real challenges that real people are facing and that’s what we really need to be focusing on.’
Sir Keir said he had been assured the briefings targeting Mr Streeting ‘didn’t come from Downing Street’, but added: ‘I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers.’
‘I think the party should always be together,’ Ms Rayner said.
‘I’ve always been of that nature and the way in which I’ve worked within our movement is, our movement has many different views and we should always look to bind ourselves within that.’
Dire polls showing Reform surging have caused panic in Labour’s ranks, just 16 months after Sir Keir’s triumphant election landslide.
Mr Streeting was seen the biggest winner from Downing Street’s extraordinary self-inflicted disaster last week
Despite jettisoning the idea of an income tax hike, the Chancellor is still expected to heap more burden on ordinary Britons in her Budget on November 26.
Other often-cited contenders for Labour’s top job include Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – although would need to find a Commons seat to throw his hat in the ring.
Lucy Powell was recently elected the party’s deputy leader after being seen as the ‘anti-Keir’ candidate during the campaign. She had previously been sacked from the Cabinet.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been burnishing her credentials as tough on immigration, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan is also widely regarded as harbouring ambitions.
