Angela Rayner Quietly Carves Out Space as Labour's Left-Leaning Successor-in-Waiting

[Social Media]

 

Angela Rayner Quietly Carves Out Space as Labour's Left-Leaning Successor-in-Waiting

 

Angela Rayner is subtly positioning herself as a credible alternative to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, according to senior Labour MPs, as internal tensions over policy direction begin to surface within the party. Though she remains loyal in public, several backbenchers believe Rayner is gradually distancing herself from unpopular policies and aligning with sentiments held by the party’s left-wing base.

 

Rayner, who serves as both deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has denied involvement in the leak of an internal government memo that suggested a range of tax-raising measures to plug a £14 billion gap in public finances. The memo, reportedly sent to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her spring statement, proposed up to £4 billion in annual tax increases through measures deemed “popular, prudent and would not raise taxes on working people.”

 

 

Though the Treasury had previously ruled out tax hikes, the leaked memo laid out suggestions including curbs on migrants' access to state pensions and an increase to the NHS surcharge for visa holders. Rayner’s allies insisted she had no part in the leak, which reached The Daily Telegraph, and characterized the policy suggestions as part of the routine discourse within government.

 

Still, behind the scenes, Labour backbenchers suggest Rayner is taking deliberate steps to distinguish herself from No 10. “Angela has been loyal in public but she knows she needs to distance herself from some of the unpopular policies,” one senior MP said. “Starmer is not under any kind of threat now but if things have not improved closer to the next election that could change. Angela is ambitious and she needs to be credible if she is to present herself as the candidate of the left. This is something people are talking about.”

 

Another Labour figure noted, “Angela has significant backing not only within the PLP but also among Labour members, and she would undoubtedly win a leadership contest if there was a vacancy. It’s a strategic oversight by No 10 not to tap into her experience, expertise and insights.”

 

Rayner’s policy focus, particularly on fair taxation, seems to have resonated with several on the Labour benches. Rachael Maskell, a former shadow minister under both Jeremy Corbyn and Starmer, said it was “right that Labour asks those who have unparalleled wealth to increase their contribution, so that those with little can afford to get through the day.” She urged the government to consider wealth taxes as part of its strategy for economic stability and fairness.

 

Neil Duncan-Jordan, Labour MP for Poole, echoed these sentiments in an interview with the BBC. “There’s a very healthy debate inside the Labour party at the moment about how we should be raising additional funds rather than cutting benefits,” he said. “And there’s a menu, I think, of options that we should be using, and these are just some of those.”

 

Despite firm denials from Rayner’s team, some within the party suspect political calculation. A government source claimed, “She clearly wants to differentiate herself. Keir and Rachel have been joined at the hip, so Angela’s people must want to signal she’s fighting against No 10 and No 11, even if it’s internally.” Another suggested that the timing of the leak, just ahead of a vote on £5 billion in welfare cuts, was not accidental, given the memo’s proposal to raise similar figures through taxation.

 

Publicly, the leadership maintains a united front. Environment Secretary Steve Reed dismissed divisions, stating on BBC Breakfast that the cabinet is “united behind the government’s plan for change.” He pointed to the removal of non-dom tax status as an example of Labour increasing taxes on the wealthy.

 

Still, a senior Labour MP expressed scepticism about the leaked proposals. “I think they were poor policy suggestions and demonstrated how hard it is to raise not all that much,” they said.

 

While there is no immediate challenge to Starmer’s leadership, the ongoing debate about economic policy and the direction of government has made one thing clear: Angela Rayner is emerging as a prominent voice, and potentially a powerful contender, should the Labour leadership ever be in question.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-23

 

 

[JonnyF]

Having Rayner as PM would be an excellent way to showcase to the world exactly how far the UK has fallen. 

 

[lavender19]

The Ginger growler. God help the UK. I didn't think it could get any worse than the traitoress tw@t that's in at the moment 

[jippytum]

The opposition to Starmer should be greater within the  Labour party. 

Reform party his biggest critics are winning the hearts of voters with honest  alternatives to Starmer's failed policies. 

 

[henryford1958]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Having Rayner as PM would be an excellent way to showcase to the world exactly how far the UK has fallen. 

 

 

Can you imagine her on the world stage negotiating with Trump, Xi etc !!

[terryofcrete]

1 minute ago, henryford1958 said:

 

Can you imagine her on the world stage negotiating with Trump, Xi etc !!

Scaratchin’ her ass ! 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Having Rayner as PM would be an excellent way to showcase to the world exactly how far the UK has fallen. 

 

A working class woman as PM, I can understand from your posting history how you would object to that.

 

Goodness, a woman born and raised on a council estate eying the highest public office in the land.

 

How dare she? The counter jumper should know her place!

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, terryofcrete said:

Scaratchin’ her ass ! 

 

"Eh Donald, pal, come round back of the bike sheds, I'll give ya' me last Lambert & Butler".

 

The UK's reputation would never recover. 

 

 

[RayC]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

"Eh Donald, pal, come round back of the bike sheds, I'll give ya' me last Lambert & Butler".

 

The UK's reputation would never recover. 

 

 

 

The very same self-appointed champion of the white, working class being  contemptuous of a white, working class woman.

 

Square that circle.

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, RayC said:

 

The very same self-appointed champion of the white, working class being  contemptuous of a white, working class woman.

 

Square that circle.

 

Rayner is not representative of the working class. Thankfully. 

 

I am contemptuous of lying, hypocritical, crass, belligerent, immoral people. Not the working class. 

 

Middle class Liberals like you often conflate these things. They think that all working class people are snarling, mannerless, vacuous chavs that call everyone they disagree with "Scum". Maybe get out of Islington for a while Ray. You're never too old to learn.