Angela Rayner on Labour leadership and tax clearance
In an interview with ITV, Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, stated she would not be forming a pact with Andy Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer for Labour leadership.
“I’m not doing deals or anything like that,”she said.
Good morning. It appears that the previously speculative Labour leadership contest, which has been simmering since Sunday, may soon become a genuine contest. Westminster is preparing for a potential challenge from Wes Streeting, the health secretary, although journalists remain uncertain if this will materialize.
This morning, and ITV jointly reported news that could influence Streeting’s decision. According to Pippa Crerar, Angela Rayner has been cleared by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of any deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness regarding her tax affairs.
In her interview with Pippa Crerar, Rayner indicated she would not personally challenge Starmer but expressed a desire for change, emphasising the need for
“action, not just words”.When asked if Starmer should step aside, she responded,
“Keir will have to reflect on that.”
If a leadership contest occurs, Rayner did not exclude the possibility of standing as a candidate but also suggested she might support another contender. She stated:
I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes. Whatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling … to know that I’m putting all my energy into fighting for them.
Rayner has hinted she would be amenable to Andy Burnham, who shares her soft-left Labour stance (in contrast to Streeting, who is associated with Labour’s right wing), replacing Starmer. However, Burnham can only stand if he secures a parliamentary seat through a by-election. Burnham has cancelled his regular weekly Radio Manchester appearance, citing the need to prioritise
“discussions arising from last week’s local elections”.
The timing of potential announcements from Streeting and Burnham remains uncertain. The following scheduled events are noted:
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly performance figures. Typically, Streeting, as health secretary, records a brief video for broadcasters upon their release.
- After 10.30am: MPs resume debate on the king’s speech, focusing on economic growth.
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts a lobby briefing.
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