Angela Rayner has said Labour has talked down to voters for too long, as she asserts her authority as the party's voice of the working class. In an article for the Guardian, the deputy leader outlined plans to invest tens of billions of pounds in green industries to boost jobs in areas where manufacturing has declined.
Rayner said the party must speak to people on minimum-wage jobs, like those she grew up with. She criticised the language of politics, saying it cannot be 'the language of parliament or party processes'. 'For too long we have given off an air of talking down to people,' she wrote.
Rayner's comments come after a weekend of tension with Labour leader Keir Starmer over a planned reshuffle. She emerged with a new shadow cabinet brief and licence to set out her own stall. Starmer later praised Rayner but warned against turning inwards.
Trade union leaders have demanded Starmer repudiate comments by Blair-era adviser Peter Mandelson about union links with the party. Aslef's Mick Whelan wrote to Starmer, saying the comments caused 'considerable concern and anger'.
Rayner, seen as a potential leadership challenger, has backing from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. She praised his style, saying Labour could learn from his example of connecting with people. Burnham urged the party to be bolder, criticising a 'caution that stops people putting forward clear policies'.
