Former Labour adviser Matthew Torbitt has called for his party to “clear the decks” and start again, with Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves struggling to gain momentum.
In a scathing analysis of the party’s top brass on GB News, Mr Torbitt spoke about a sleaze crisis gripping them.
He said the party is “all at sea” as he discussed Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner struggling to stave off questions about her housing situation.
After it was put to him that manoeuvres are being made behind the scenes with the future of the party’s leadership in mind, Mr Torbitt said Labour may be better off starting again.
A former adviser for the party has lost faith
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GB NEWS / PA
“Whoever is putting this about is obviously aiming to damage her because she is the clear favourite [for leadership],” he said.
“It’s an indictment. We’re going to get the fourth different Director of Communications in five years. Darren Jones has never worked in government but is apparently going to change the whole way No.10 works.
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“Nothing will change. We still don’t have a Homelessness Minister weeks on, and homelessness is going backwards — we are all at sea.
“The thing that will probably help is that six in 10 Labour voters said in The Times this morning they don’t want tax rises, they don’t think they are viable.
“They don’t only want Reeves out, they want Starmer out as well. Clear the decks, start again.”
Mr Torbitt was referring to the appointment of Darren Jones as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Mr Jones will now be responsible for driving through day-to-day policy and ensuring the Civil Service can deliver Labour’s agenda.
It comes during a testing period for the Labour Government as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner continues to face questions about her council tax arrangements.
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Ms Rayner faces mounting pressure for an ethics probe following revelations that she sidestepped £40,000 in stamp duty when purchasing a coastal property in Hove worth £800,000.
Conservative politicians have demanded that Sir Laurie Magnus, who serves as the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministerial standards, launch a formal investigation into Angela Rayner’s property dealings.
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The Deputy Prime Minister’s acquisition of the three-bedroom East Sussex apartment has sparked controversy after documents revealed the substantial tax saving.
Opposition MPs have branded the situation as “hypocritical tax avoidance by a minister who supports higher taxes on family homes, high-value homes and second homes.”
Labour’s sleaze crisis was discussed on GB News
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GB NEWS
Recently disclosed Land Registry records show that Rayner secured a £650,000 mortgage from NatWest for the controversial purchase, contributing a £150,000 initial payment.
The financial arrangements for the seaside flat have come under intense scrutiny as critics question the propriety of the transaction.
The substantial down payment represents nearly a fifth of the property’s total value, highlighting the significant financial commitment involved in the acquisition.
The Conservatives submitted their formal request to Sir Laurie Magnus on Friday, pressing for a comprehensive ethics inquiry into the Deputy Prime Minister’s financial arrangements.
The opposition party condemned what they described as contradictory behaviour from a government minister who advocates for increased taxation on family residences, luxury properties and additional homes.
Further complications emerged on Sunday when reports surfaced that Ms Rayner had engaged a firm specialising in “wealth protection” services.
Additional controversy arose regarding her partner’s connections to a company whose previous client had secured government funding, prompting fresh allegations of hypocrisy from critics.
Cabinet colleague Bridget Phillipson has mounted a defence of the Deputy Prime Minister, asserting that Rayner’s personal financial matters warrant privacy.
She said on GB News that Ms Rayner has fully followed the rules and requirements and that her housing arrangements were a “matter for her”.