Shadow Cabinet minister Alex Burghart has accused senior Labour figures of prioritising internal jockeying for power over addressing national issues, as the sleaze allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner intensify. Burghart told the Daily Mail that damaging leaks about Rayner's personal life and tax affairs are 'very likely' coming from Labour rivals anticipating Sir Keir Starmer's ouster due to dire poll ratings.
'This is the sort of infighting we are going to see a lot more of in public as Labour politicians fear the collapse of Keir Starmer's regime and start briefing against each other,' Burghart said. He added that while Labour infighting continues, the party is neglecting crises such as the Channel crossings and economic problems.
The Conservatives have formally requested an investigation into whether Rayner breached the ministerial code over the purchase of an £800,000 second home in Hove. Allegations claim she avoided £40,000 in stamp duty by declaring the property as her main home to the taxman, while telling the Cabinet Office her primary residence is a former family home 260 miles away in Greater Manchester. When Parliament sits, Rayner is believed to live mainly in a taxpayer-funded grace-and-favour apartment in central London.
Burghart noted that Rayner's department is considering a change in the law to prevent elected mayors from standing as MPs, a move that would block potential leadership rivals such as Andy Burnham and Sir Sadiq Khan. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended Rayner, insisting she had done nothing wrong. Labour MPs are reportedly dismayed by a lack of initiatives from Downing Street during the summer recess, allowing Reform leader Nigel Farage to dominate the national conversation. Two recent opinion polls put Labour support at a record low of 20 per cent.
