Angela Rayner: The Working-Class Hero Under Scrutiny

[Social Media]

 

Angela Rayner has long been celebrated as a symbol of working-class resilience and determination. Growing up on a council estate, attending a state school, and working her way up from the bottom, Rayner has always stood out from the political crowd at Westminster. She has spoken proudly of her journey and of her commitment to "standing up for working people." However, recent allegations surrounding her use of public funds have raised questions about whether this image of a working-class champion is still intact. 

 

Emma Clarke, in a recent article, expressed disappointment at the news that Rayner had allegedly hired a photographer at a cost of £57,000 a year, paid for by taxpayers. Clarke, herself a woman from a working-class background, had admired Rayner for her authenticity and her ability to rise to prominence without forgetting where she came from. But this revelation has left her, and many others, feeling let down.

 

“I fully believe that, when you get to that point and your situation changes, you should pay things forward – and, for the most part, that’s what Rayner does,” writes Clarke. She acknowledges that Rayner has been a powerful advocate for marginalised groups and has raised important issues affecting the masses. Yet, the alleged use of public money for self-promotion has caused her to question whether Rayner is still acting in the best interests of the people she claims to represent.

 

The controversy has also drawn attention because of how vocally Rayner has criticised others for similar actions. In particular, she was quick to attack Boris Johnson for hiring what she called "a coterie of vanity photographers." That past criticism now rings hollow in light of the current accusations. Rachel Reeves, another Labour figure, has defended the expenditure by noting that all government departments have communication budgets to promote their activities. However, that argument hasn’t satisfied many, including Clarke, who argues that being "fiercely, refreshingly 'normal'" has been a cornerstone of Rayner's appeal.

 

Rayner’s defense that “all MPs do it” also falls flat for many of her supporters. As Clarke points out, Labour's historic win in July was supposed to bring in an era of change, transparency, and integrity. Yet, in less than 100 days under Starmer’s leadership, there have already been murmurings about questionable gifts and freebies, including dresses, glasses, and even tickets to Arsenal games and Coldplay concerts. It’s a stark contrast to the change many hoped for, and Clarke calls it “completely tone-deaf.”

 

While Clarke concedes that these allegations are far from being on the same scale as some of the more severe controversies surrounding the Conservative party, including breaches of COVID-19 rules, allegations of sexual misconduct, and failure to secure a strong Brexit deal, she is still disappointed. “After barely three months in power, Labour is already falling short,” she laments.

 

One thing Clarke is clear on is that her disappointment does not stem from a belief that Rayner should be held to a higher standard because she is a woman, or because of her working-class background. “Women are already held to an increasingly eye-watering double standard, whether they’re in the public eye or not,” she notes. Moreover, she finds it absurd that people criticised Rayner for wearing a £550 mint green ME+EM trouser suit, purchased with her own salary, as if it had any bearing on her ability to do her job.

 

However, Clarke believes that Rayner, given her background and the values she has espoused, should be more cautious about how she spends public money. If these allegations are true, Clarke argues, Rayner owes the public an apology. “She must know we have certain expectations of her: yes, for the political party she belongs to and what they (apparently) stand for – but also just for herself.”

 

In the end, Clarke still views Rayner as a working-class hero but feels that holding public office comes with responsibilities that Rayner cannot afford to overlook. When in power, she insists, you serve the public—not yourself.

 

Based on a report from: The Independent 2024-09-25

 

 

 

[jippytum]

Raynor's double standards

as the working man's friend is taking a beating. 

Mired in controversy over the undeclared sale of her second home council house and accepting freebies for recent events. This does little to appease recipient's of labour's draconion  austerity measures including stopping the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. 

[JonnyF]

Working class hero????

 

She's a grifter. Totally clueless. Calling political opponents "Tory scum" does not make someone a working class hero. She's a chav on the take. 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, jippytum said:

Raynor's double standards

as the working man's friend is taking a beating. 

Mired in controversy over the undeclared sale of her second home council house and accepting freebies for recent events. This does little to appease recipient's of labour's draconion  austerity measures including stopping the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. 

You need to refresh your ‘talking points’ file.

 

The investigation into the sale of her second home found no wrong doing.

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/labour-mp-angela-rayner-cleared-28798066.amp

 

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/29/angela-rayner-labour-cleared-hmrc-tax-sale-former-home

[Chomper Higgot]

19 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Working class hero????

 

She's a grifter. Totally clueless. Calling political opponents "Tory scum" does not make someone a working class hero. She's a chav on the take. 

The usual venom and bile you so often serve up for women.

 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The usual venom and bile you so often serve up for women.

 

 

Only classless, lying, grifting, hypocritical ones. 😊

[jippytum]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You need to refresh your ‘talking points’ file.

 

The investigation into the sale of her second home found no wrong doing.

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/labour-mp-angela-rayner-cleared-28798066.amp

 

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/29/angela-rayner-labour-cleared-hmrc-tax-sale-former-home

Her evasive responce to legitimate questions initiated the inquiry.This together with recent questionable actions rightly contiue to tarnish her reputation. 

[Chomper Higgot]

25 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Her evasive responce to legitimate questions initiated the inquiry.This together with recent questionable actions rightly contiue to tarnish her reputation. 

No case to answer.

 

Case closed.

[JonnyF]

Working class hero with her 66k taxpayer funded personal photographer. 😄

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/23/angela-rayner-hires-taxpayer-funded-66k-vanity-photographer/

 

 

[roo860]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Working class hero????

 

She's a grifter. Totally clueless. Calling political opponents "Tory scum" does not make someone a working class hero. She's a chav on the take. 

She did most of her 'standing up' behind the bike sheds 🤫

[Will B Good]

 

 

Government and Labour officials have clarified that the photographer is part of the communications team for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) and not a personal photographe.

 

It is common practice for all government departments to employ photographers to document and promote their work.

 

Another nothing burger.

 

[Will B Good]

33 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Working class hero with her 66k taxpayer funded personal photographer. 😄

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/23/angela-rayner-hires-taxpayer-funded-66k-vanity-photographer/

 

 

 

 

🤣 Until "recently" he was Rishi Sunak’s personal photographer.

[blazes]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnn.

 

Politics these days tends to come down to these kindergarden quarrels.

Much ado about nothing. 

[JonnyF]

9 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

🤣 Until "recently" he was Rishi Sunak’s personal photographer.

 

Interesting.

 

Maybe you could post links in the "Rishi Sunak is a working class hero" thread. 

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Interesting.

 

Maybe you could post links in the "Rishi Sunak is a working class hero" thread. 

 

 

 

Only if there is an "Angela Rayner is a working class hero" thread.

 

 

 

[Kinok Farang]

Just a loud mouthed trollope.

[Kinok Farang]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The usual venom and bile you so often serve up for women.

 

You really are a nauseating man.

Have you any mates?

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, Kinok Farang said:

You really are a nauseating man.

Have you any mates?

Is that your best shot?

[RayC]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Working class hero with her 66k taxpayer funded personal photographer. 😄

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/23/angela-rayner-hires-taxpayer-funded-66k-vanity-photographer/

 

 

 

From your linked Telegraph article:

 

“This is a civil service role and will be part of the department’s communications team.” and "A government spokesman insisted Mr Walker was part of the department’s wider communications team rather than a “personal” hire for Ms Rayner."

 

Hardly as you describe it.