A senior ally of Angela Rayner has dramatically hinted that she could step into a fierce row over workers' rights, dealing a fresh blow to Sir Keir Starmer's authority.
The intervention comes after the government abruptly abandoned plans to grant employees the right to sue for unfair dismissal from their very first day in a job. The former deputy prime minister has remained publicly silent since the policy was ditched last week, but the move has ignited fury among left-wing MPs.
Backlash Over 'Broken Promise'
The decision to drop the 'day one' rights pledge has sparked a significant outcry, with anger intensifying after ministers attempted to argue it was never an explicit manifesto commitment. They have instead claimed the vow was merely to 'consult' on the plans and have blamed opposition from the House of Lords for making the legislation impossible to pass.
This has done little to placate critics, especially as Angela Rayner has long been a champion of the workers' rights legislation. Her forced resignation in September after admitting to underpaying tens of thousands of pounds in stamp duty had removed her from the frontline, but there is now speculation at Westminster that she could use this row as a springboard for a political comeback.
Key Ally Condemns 'Unelected Peers'
Adding fuel to the fire, Labour MP Justin Madders – who served as Ms Rayner's deputy until he was sacked by Sir Keir in the reshuffle triggered by her exit – publicly condemned the situation. Appearing on LBC, he criticised the resistance from 'unelected peers' and took a swipe at ministers.
'I think it would be better all round if members of the Cabinet made the argument why they've had to do it rather than pretend it is not a manifesto breach,' Mr Madders stated. He expressed concern that the government might 'capitulate on other things if we get too much resistance' and said he was seeking guarantees for the rest of the 'Make Work Pay' legislative package.
Is Rayner Preparing to Intervene?
When asked if he had spoken to Ms Rayner about the controversy, Mr Madders confirmed that he had. 'Yeah, and look I think we both understand the practicalities of why this has had to be done,' he said, acknowledging that trade unions had been consulted.
However, he pointedly added that serious commitments for the remaining legislation were still lacking. Pressed on whether Ms Rayner was unhappy with the outcome, Mr Madders offered a telling response: 'Well, I think you'd have to ask her that.'
He concluded with a clear indication of her stance, saying, 'But when we've all gone out and campaigned on something for a number of years, we're committed to, we've promised we'd deliver it and we don't, I think you can probably assume she isn't doing cartwheels over this.' This remark will be seen as a clear signal of the internal pressure mounting on Sir Keir Starmer as he tries to contain the fallout from ditching a key manifesto pledge.
