Angela Rayner returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to make a personal statement, her first appearance since resigning as housing secretary in early September. The Labour benches, which had been nearly empty at the start of a ministerial statement on Heathrow, filled up as MPs gathered to hear her speak.
Rayner, who also missed the party conference in Liverpool, spoke of her pride in representing her constituents and reaffirmed her socialist values – a contrast to the current government frontbench’s cautious tone. She acknowledged the past few weeks had been tough, both politically and personally, but said she understood public scrutiny came with the job.
She glossed over the details of her downfall, which involved a tax form she filled in without professional advice, leading to an HMRC investigation. Instead, she focused on her and Labour’s track record, including housing targets, the employment rights bill, and the Hillsborough law. Fighting back tears, she stressed the need for the government to turn things around for working people within the next three and a half years.
Her speech was met with cheers and some MPs broke protocol by clapping. Labour backbenchers, who have privately expressed deep depression over the party’s slipping prospects since the 2024 election, saw Rayner’s return as a beacon of hope. Many feel that while Keir Starmer is a decent leader, he struggles to convey vision and authenticity, whereas Rayner connects with voters naturally.
Earlier, at Prime Minister’s Questions, Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of sabotaging the grooming gangs inquiry, which saw survivors walk away. Badenoch’s performance was described as angry and lacking nuance, offering no real challenge to the government.
