Angela Rayner has given up vaping, a clear indication that she is positioning herself to take over from Keir Starmer as Labour leader and potentially prime minister. The former deputy prime minister's decision to abandon her e-cigarette habit is part of a broader effort to polish her public image and appear more prime-ministerial.
Rayner's Leadership Ambitions
After months in the political wilderness following a scandal over unpaid stamp duty on her seaside flat, Rayner expects to receive the all-clear from HMRC soon. If Labour performs poorly in this week's local and devolved elections, as many predict, calls for Starmer's resignation could create a vacancy that Rayner is eager to fill.
Quitting the Vape Dragon
Rayner's children nicknamed her habit the "Vape Dragon," and she has admitted they were revolted by it. By quitting, she aims to erase from public memory an image of her vaping on Brighton beach. This move also addresses the negative public perception of vapers, with surveys showing that four in 10 people think less of those who vape.
Rayner has stated: "Young people need to know that vaping is not a way forward and they should not get addicted to it, because it is incredibly addictive and costly as well." While this statement has an authentic ring, it also helps obscure the fact that vaping carries a stigma, often associated with being "common"—a label Rayner has fought throughout her political career.
Public Perception and Class Snobbery
Research by the National Centre for Social Research indicates that public perception of vapers has shifted over the last decade. Initially seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking, vaping is now increasingly viewed as disrespectful in public spaces. Rayner's decision reflects an understanding that Britain may not accept a "Vape Dragon" in charge.
Rayner's background—growing up on a Stockport council estate, becoming a teenage mother at 16, and a grandmother at 37—made her relatable. However, her working-class roots and occasional gaffes, such as flashing Boris Johnson in the Commons, may hinder her appeal to a nation that often prefers leaders with Received Pronunciation accents. Despite her inspiration to many, she may not attract enough voters to lead Labour to a general election victory.
Image Makeover
To boost her chances, Rayner is advised to adopt a more formal name, insisting on "Angela" rather than "Ange" or "Angie," similar to how Catherine, Princess of Wales, prefers to be called Catherine. This week's elections could be pivotal for her political future.
