Angela Rayner is being “sidelined” to the detriment of other Cabinet ministers as a senior member of Sir Keir Starmer’s team ignores calls from his chief of staff, allies have claimed.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who also has responsibilities as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, is being sidelined in favour of other loyal MPs.
Rayner is seen by many as the darling of the Labour left, having served enthusiastically under Jeremy Corbyn and winning his leadership race in 2020.
A recent Savanta poll found that Rayner is the most popular choice among Labour voters to one day succeed Starmer.
Angela Rayner ‘sidelined’ as Starmer’s top adviser ignores ally’s pleasPennsylvaniaRayner’s victory over Rosena Allin-Khan also cements her position as a major contender, given that she received twice as many votes as the Tooting MP in the last round.
However, Rayner’s allies are increasingly concerned that his authority is being gradually and subtly undermined.
The 44-year-old, who replaced Starmer in the seven-way leadership debates ahead of July 4, was spearheading Labour’s flagship policy, the New Deal for Working People, following Michael Gove.
The plan promises to raise wages and give workers additional rights.
Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is now taking on the policy, sidelining Rayner.
A Labour source told the Telegraph: “This probably means the New Deal will be scrapped because Jonny Reynolds will want to do what is best for business, not what is best for unions.”
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Angela Rayner PennsylvaniaThe planning application could also be taken away from Rayner and handed over to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, inside sources have warned.
A Rayner ally said: “Angela has been excluded from everything.”
Rayner’s Shadow Housing colleagues – Mike Amesbury, Paula Barker and Flo Eshalomi – were also removed from their posts following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election.
Matt Pennycook and Jim McMahon were separately assigned to other departments.
Despite the personnel changes, Rayner is said to be happy with her team of junior ministers and believes they will continue to work closely together on the New Deal.
However, other leading Labour MPs appear to have had more opportunity to make their mark in the early days of the new Labour government.
Keir Starmer
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the NHS was “broken” and later held talks with the British Medical Association.
Reeves made his first speech as chancellor in the Churchill Room and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband began implementing his ban on North Sea oil.
Rayner faces a particular problem: her chief of staff, Nick Parrott, is struggling to get in touch with Starmer’s top aide, Sue Gray.
Labour has restructured its campaign headquarters following last week’s general election victory.
The changes were delayed after Labour general secretary David Evans failed to receive the green light from Gray.
“He’s blowing up because Sue Gray isn’t answering his phone,” a source said.
However, some Labour Party sources do not believe the restructuring is having a particularly profound impact on morale.
Another insider added: “The restructuring of Downing Street operations has progressed at pace.
“It would not be correct to say that this has caused frustration among senior party officials.”
