Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has openly expressed his desire to see former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner return to his top team, lavishing praise on her as 'hugely talented'. This comes amid intense speculation that Ms Rayner is preparing her own bid for the Labour leadership and has resisted offers to rejoin the Cabinet immediately.
Starmer's Public Overture and Rayner's Ambitions
In a revealing interview, Sir Keir stated he was 'really sad that we lost her' after Ms Rayner's resignation over a tax scandal in September. He confirmed he misses his former deputy and explicitly said he expects her to return to the Cabinet. Ms Rayner was forced to quit after admitting she failed to pay approximately £40,000 in stamp duty on an £800,000 property in Hove, East Sussex.
However, allies of Ms Rayner suggest the Prime Minister's comments are a strategic move to shore up his position with the Labour Left, where she remains popular. Reports indicate she has turned down the role of Education Secretary and is instead focusing on developing her own agenda from outside the government. One ally stated her plan is to prepare a bid for Number Ten after the local elections in May.
Leadership Maneuvering and a Potential 'Joint Ticket'
The political landscape is further complicated by claims that allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are pressing Ms Rayner to join a 'joint ticket' for the Labour leadership. This deal would reportedly promise her a return to the deputy prime minister role if she supported Mr Streeting's own leadership ambitions.
Ms Rayner has reportedly resisted these overtures. Meanwhile, Sir Keir used his interview to defend her, suggesting misogyny played a part in the high level of criticism both she and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have faced. He vowed to fight any leadership challenge, referencing his history of defying detractors to win a Labour landslide.
Internal Labour Unrest and Future Contests
The speculation over the party's future direction is not confined to the Cabinet. Labour MP Barry Gardiner, a former shadow minister, warned against a 'coronation' for any successor, insisting a new leader must be elected by the whole party and not 'stitched up' by MPs. He revealed colleagues are 'deeply worried' about losing their seats and are openly discussing whether the party should change leader.
Sir Keir's aides have privately suggested Ms Rayner could be handed her old job or the education brief in a reshuffle next year. The Prime Minister himself described her as 'the best social mobility story this country has ever seen', highlighting her journey from a challenging background to the heart of government. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on whether Angela Rayner will accept a Cabinet return or choose to challenge for the top job from the backbenches.
