Angela Rayner is “planning a political comeback”, sources have told GB News, piling fresh pressure on Sir Keir Starmer.
Allies of the former Deputy PM told The People’s Channel that Ms Rayner plans to “come back with a bang in October” – a move likely to raise eyebrows in No10.
The Ashton-under-Lyne MP is preparing to “deliver a big speech”, one insider revealed, a development that may unsettle the Prime Minister.
One source told GB News: “I’m under orders not to say too much,” hinting that the wheels are in motion on a broader political strategy for Ms Rayner’s return.
Allies of the ex-Deputy PM said she plans to ‘come back with a bang’ next month
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PAThe former Labour deputy leader resigned earlier this month after Sir Laurie Magnus’s report found that she had breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove.
Ms Rayner has admitted to relying on advice and failing to seek specialist tax counsel for “complex living arrangements,” which caused the underpayment and led to her resigning from Government.
However, one of the ex-Deputy PM’s Labour colleagues has issued a stark warning to her.
Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Middleton South, said: “I think Angela has suffered more political damage than she realises.”
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‘I think Angela has suffered more political damage than she realises,’ Graham Stringer said
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Another Labour MP cast doubt on the possibility of a return, saying: “Only the PM can return her to the front bench, and he is unlikely to do that.”
And political strategist Jo Tanner added: “If she is planning a comeback, she needs to be ready for mudslinging back in her direction from those frustrated by the chaos her departure has caused.”
James Schneider, the co-founder of Momentum and Jeremy Corbyn’s former communications director – said to be involved in the founding of Mr Corbyn’s “Your Party” – issued a scathing eight-word slap-down to Labour.
Mr Schneider told the People’s Channel: “Comeback or no comeback, this Government is cooked.”
‘Comeback or no comeback, this Government is cooked,’ James Schneider blasted
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GETTYPolling conducted by LabourList and Survation in August found that Ms Rayner’s net favourability among Labour members sat at +59 – the second-highest in Cabinet, behind Ed Miliband.
Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, was the third-least popular Cabinet member among the Labour faithful at -9.
Only Rachel Reeves and the then-Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall fared worse, at -26 and -33 respectively.
More LabourList polling from June placed Ms Rayner in 47 per cent of members’ top three preferred leadership preferred options, with almost 20 per cent naming her as their number one choice.
GB News has approached Angela Rayner for comment.