Angela Rayner is furious over claims that she is not the “real” Deputy Prime Minister, according to reports.
Ms Rayner is officially Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy as well as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government but she has expressed frustration at suggestions she holds the post in name only.
Those who have been named as the real deputy include Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Sue Gray, Sir Keir’s chief of staff.
Ms Rayner has also been denied the use of Dorneywood, the grace and favour Buckinghamshire residence that was provided to John Prescott when he was Deputy Prime Minister in the Labour government led by Sir Tony Blair. Instead, it has been provided to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor.
She is also said to have been sidelined over a package of measures to improve workers’ rights, known as the “Future of Work”, which she championed in opposition but will be led by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
Ms Rayner was elected Labour’s Deputy Leader by party members in 2020, and traditionally this would entitle her to be known as Deputy Prime Minister when Labour is in power. However the Prime Minister is free to decide whether to appoint a deputy or not, and the role does not come with any formal responsibilities.
Her concerns appear to have come to a head during a radio interview last week, when she declared: “I’ve heard stories that I’ve been, like, passed over for Dorneywood and all this sort of rubbish.
“I don’t care about a mansion. I care about looking at the British public who have entrusted me, from my background, to get to where I am.”
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to get a grip on anonymous briefings by Labour insiders, telling the BBC: “It’s my job to deal with briefings etcetera and I take responsibility for that.”
