Angela Rayner put Labour chaos behind her today as she was spotted enjoying Britain's sweltering heatwave on the beach in Brighton. The former deputy prime minister, 46, was seen soaking up the sun on Bank Holiday Monday with her topless ex-MP boyfriend Sam Tarry, 43.
The casually dressed pair—with Ms Rayner displaying her Labour rose leg tattoo in shorts, a T-shirt and white Crocs—were photographed setting up beach chairs as they joined thousands of others who thronged the South Coast.
It came as the UK saw record-breaking temperatures with a searing 34.8C recorded in Kew Gardens, south-west London. This exceeded the previous hottest May day of 32.8C in 1944 and also broke the Bank Holiday record of 33.3C in August 2019.
Ms Rayner owns a £800,000 seaside apartment in Hove, East Sussex, and has previously been pictured sipping a rosé on the nearby beach. It was the purchase of the South Coast home that led to her exit from the Government last year, following her tearful admission she failed to pay correct stamp duty.
Ms Rayner recently revealed she had settled £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty with HMRC, which paves the way for her to return to Cabinet or even launch a Labour leadership bid herself.
Key Labour Power Broker
As Keir Starmer fights for his political future in the wake of dismal results in elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils, Ms Rayner is a key Labour power broker. She has not ruled out running in any Labour leadership contest but said she would not 'trigger' a contest herself.
If she does not stand as a candidate to succeed Sir Keir, Ms Rayner would still be expected to return to the top of government by being handed a senior role by other leadership hopefuls such as Andy Burnham or Wes Streeting. She was recently reported to have rebuffed attempts by No10 to install her as Mr Streeting's replacement as Health Secretary in Sir Keir's administration.
Mr Streeting quit the Cabinet role after losing confidence in Sir Keir's leadership, with a string of junior ministers also resigning from the Government in the wake of Labour's local elections meltdown.
Leadership Contest on Hold
A contest to replace Sir Keir appears to be on hold while Mr Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, seeks a return to Westminster at the Makerfield by-election. It has been suggested, if he does see off a challenge by Reform UK to win the seat, Mr Burnham could be set for a 'coronation' as Labour's new leader.
Ms Rayner and Mr Burnham held secret talks at her Greater Manchester constituency home in April. But allies of Ms Rayner denied claims she had agreed a pact with Mr Burnham to support him for the leadership.
Ms Rayner has had an on-off relationship with left-winger Mr Tarry, the former Ilford South MP, following her separation from her husband.
