EXCLUSIVE – The former Deputy Prime Minister has been given approval for a lucrative new job.
Angela Rayner has a second job (Image: Getty)
Angela Rayner has been given formal approval to take up a second job after her departure from government amid a tax scandal.
The Prime Minister’s independent advisor on ministerial standards has approved Ms Rayner to become a paid speaker for Chartwell Speakers, where she will be available to book for any number of events. The last high-profile politician to join the speaking agency was former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who offered her services to speak about “leadership” and the “economy”.
Both Theresa May and Boris Johnson have also earned hundreds of thousands from speaking engagements since leaving office.
Ms Rayner’s application to join the agency said she would speak “at one event for a pensions insurance specialist and then occasionally at private events”. The former Deputy Prime Minister promised she would “not provide any insight into your time in government that is covered by confidentiality restrictions”.
It’s the second major money-making scheme pursued by Ms Rayner since leaving Cabinet, after agreeing to write a memoir about her rise to the top of politics and subsequent resignation.
Ms Rayner could earn thousands from the job (Image: Getty)
In a notice published by the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, this afternoon, Ms Rayner was given approval to join the speaking agency with a number of restrictions, including a ban on using privileged information that would benefit herself, Chartwell Speakers Bureau, or any of its clients.
She is also not permitted to become personally involved in lobbying the UK government on behalf of the Bureau for up to two years from the date she left government.
Sir Laurie noted: “My advice is not an endorsement of the appointment.”
According to Ms Rayner’s new profile on the Chartwell Speakers website, her new bosses describe her as “one of the most recognisable and compelling voices in modern British politics.”
Wealthy donors willing to fork out for Ms Rayner’s services can book her to talk about a number of topics, including: Leadership under pressure and public trust; Devolution, regional growth and the future of local government; Housing, communities and tackling inequality; Workers’ rights and the changing world of work; The future of public services and social renewal.
In December, Ms Rayner finally confirmed long-standing rumours that she is planning on publishing an autobiography in the second half of this year, amid ongoing reports she is mulling a stab at the Labour leadership should Sir Keir Starmer be forced out.
The book will cover her early life, including her impoverished childhood and difficult upbringing, to her resignation from the second-in-command position in Sir Keir’s government. Despite the circumstances of her departure from high office, she remains both popular and influential among Labour MPs and members.
According to the betting markets, her housing tax row has not dampened her hopes of one day replacing Sir Keir Starmer.
Odds published this morning by Oddschecker said she is the second-most likely to replace the Prime Minister should he be toppled next year, after Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
The book was subject to a bidding war among several publishers; however, it was ultimately acquired by The Bodley Head, a division of Penguin.
Ms Rayner is reportedly yet to decide on a title for the highly-awaited memoir.
A friend of the former Housing Secretary told the Guardian: “There’s been huge interest from publishers. This won’t be your standard politician’s memoir. It will be authentically Angela and in her own voice.”
Last week The Times reported that Ms Rayner is on a ‘schmooze’ mission with Labour MPs, members and fundraisers over the coming weeks in an apparent effort to lay the groundwork for a potential leadership election.
One MP said Ms Rayner is “clearly on manoeuvres”, with a minister adding she is “schmoozing” MPs at her “drinks with Angie” receptions.
