In a significant move, Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Angela Rayner as the UK’s new Deputy Prime Minister, Downing Street announced today. In addition to this role, Rayner will also serve as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Rayner’s journey to the top of British politics is a remarkable one. Born in 1980 in Stockport, she was raised on a council estate and left school at 16 without qualifications, pregnant with her first child. Despite being told she would “never amount to anything,” Rayner persevered. She attended college part-time after giving birth and later became a care worker for the local council, where she was elected as a union representative.
Her political career began in earnest when she was elected as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in 2015. Rayner quickly rose through Labour’s ranks, supporting Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 leadership election and eventually becoming a key figure in Starmer’s shadow cabinet.
This appointment marks a significant milestone in Rayner’s career and represents a strategic move by Starmer to unite different factions within the Labour Party. As Deputy Prime Minister, Rayner is expected to play a crucial role in shaping government policy, particularly in areas related to social inequality and community development.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters praising Rayner’s working-class background and determination, while critics question her experience for such a high-profile role. Nonetheless, her appointment signals a new chapter in British politics and sets the stage for an intriguing dynamic within the Starmer government.
