Angela Rayner to Return to Cabinet, Starmer Says
Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced that Angela Rayner will return to the cabinet, describing her as hugely talented. Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister in September following issues over stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove. An investigation concluded she acted with integrity, but her failure to obtain correct tax advice fell short of ministerial standards.
Since her resignation, Rayner has largely kept out of politics, speaking only once in the House of Commons. She has been replaced as deputy Labour leader by Lucy Powell, following an election among party members.
Starmer previously expressed a desire to see Rayner return, including statements at the G20 where he said he absolutely wanted her back "at some stage." In an interview with The Observer, Starmer emphasized that Rayner remains a major voice in the Labour movement.
Rayner, the Ashton-under-Lyne MP, helped draft the government's employment rights bill and was expected to propose an amendment to strengthen protections against unfair dismissal. However, she withdrew the proposal after discussions with Business Secretary Peter Kyle.
Labour MP Pat McFadden described Rayner as an enormous talent who would be welcomed back, though he noted the final decision rests with the prime minister.
