A source has revealed the former Deputy Prime Minister is “getting her ducks in a row” for a bid to overthrow Sir Keir Starmer.
The former deputy prime minister is said to be planning a leadership bid (Image: Getty)
Angela Rayner is reportedly plotting to overthrow Sir Keir Starmer in an audacious leadership bid. A source has revealed that the former Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary is working to get the support of MPs, adding: “The unions will back her and help her”.
Ms Rayner is said to be “getting her ducks in a row” by offering Cabinet roles to members of the Labour Party in exchange for their support. She is currently part of the centre-left Tribune pressure group, which could be used as a leadership vehicle for a candidate in the future. The group currently has 70 members but is expected to reach 100
As reported by The Telegraph, Ms Rayner was forced to resign from her roles in September, but she is now ready for a dramatic comeback. Some members of the Labour party favour her as a leadership candidate over other candidates such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
It comes after Clive Lewis became the first Labour MP to call for Keir Starmer to be replaced by Andy Burnham. However, an early leadership contest would favour candidates such as Ms Rayner and disadvantage those such as the Greater Manchester Mayor.
However, a source close to Ms Rayner has slammed the claims as “total rubbish”. They added that the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne was “focused on representing her local community”.
Recent polling shows that satisfaction with the Prime Minister remains the lowest recorded since 1977. Meanwhile, satisfaction with Chancellor Rachel Reeves is the lowest since 1976, just over a month before her Autumn Budget.
Pressure is mounting on Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
Mr Lewis, the MP for Norwich South, told Channel 4: “We need to do what the Prime Minister once said, which is put country before party. And frankly, party before personal ambition. I just don’t see how this can stagger on without any kind of resolution on the horizon.
“And I think the Labour Party, the Labour grandees, the men in grey suits now really, seriously think, how can we get Andy Burnham back into this parliamentary Labour Party and let him step up and become the next Prime Minister? That’s my personal view. I know it won’t be shared by everyone, but I don’t see many other options.”
A source close to Ms Rayner said: “This is total rubbish and obviously false. Amidst all the stirring and silly games, Angela is focused on representing her local community and ensuring that the priorities she championed in Government are delivered in full.”
