Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly confirmed that his former deputy, Angela Rayner, will make a return to his Cabinet. Ms Rayner stepped down from her roles as Deputy Prime Minister, Housing Secretary, and deputy Labour leader in September following an independent ethics investigation.
Resignation and the Path Back
The investigation concluded that Ms Rayner had breached the ministerial code concerning the underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat. Despite this, Sir Keir has consistently expressed his admiration for her abilities. In a recent interview with The Observer, the Prime Minister stated he missed his former deputy and described her as "the best social mobility story this country has ever seen."
When directly questioned about her political future, Sir Keir was unequivocal. "Yes, of course I do. I was really sad that we lost her," he said regarding missing her presence. He added, "Yes. She's hugely talented," confirming her eventual Cabinet comeback.
Political Reactions and Leadership Speculation
The prospect of Ms Rayner's return has not been without controversy. Last month, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch argued during Prime Minister's Questions that any reinstatement should be conditional on Ms Rayner repaying an estimated £40,000 in property taxes she was found to have avoided.
Furthermore, the political landscape has been rife with speculation about a future Labour leadership pact. Reports suggested allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting were pushing for a "joint ticket" with Ms Rayner for the party's top job. However, a source close to the former deputy prime minister dismissed such talk, stating she "will not be played like a pawn" and that "there is no vacancy and there is no pact."
Starmer's Defiant Stance on His Leadership
Amidst this speculation, Sir Keir Starmer himself has firmly shut down any suggestion he plans to step aside before the next general election. Reflecting on his tenure, he outlined a pattern of defying expectations.
"When I took over the Labour party, everyone said to me, 'you're not going to be able to change the party'. We ignored that and carried on," he stated. "Then they said to me, 'you're not going to be able to win an election'. We got a landslide Labour victory."
He concluded with a defiant message about his government's mission: "Now, 17 months into a five-year Labour term, they say 'you're not able to change the country'. Every time we've been in this position, we've defied them. And that's what I intend to do."
The Prime Minister's comments, made on Sunday 7 December 2025, set the stage for a significant political reappointment while seeking to quell internal party rumours about his own position.
