Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC over her tax affairs, removing what was widely seen as her biggest roadblock to becoming Prime Minister. The Ashton-under-Lyne MP did not rule out entering the Labour leadership race as Keir Starmer fights to save his premiership following disastrous local election results.
Rayner's Exoneration
Rayner told The Guardian: 'I'll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it's not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes.' She stepped down as deputy prime minister in September after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat in Hove. An independent ethics adviser concluded she had breached the cabinet minister code of conduct. However, HMRC has now confirmed there was no tax avoidance. Rayner told ITV News: 'They've said that there wasn't any wrongdoing and that I didn't try to avoid paying tax or I wasn't careless in the way in which I conducted myself at the time when I was in government.'
Leadership Turmoil
The news comes as Starmer faces a growing rebellion within his party. More than 80 MPs have called for his resignation, while a competing list of around 100 MPs has expressed support, though some have since said their names were added without permission. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is considered a potential challenger, though he denies plotting against Starmer. Reports suggest he may resign from the government. Senior Labour moderates have warned Streeting he would lose a leadership contest to a more left-wing candidate. Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham, told The Times: 'Wes is a huge talent and someone I've considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning. The risk of initiating this process is the outcome isn't Wes Streeting becoming PM. It's a candidate from the left of the party and six years of hard work will be destroyed.'
PM's Defiant Stance
Despite the pressure, Starmer has remained defiant. He made a post on X stating: 'My government will end the status quo that has failed working people. We will build a stronger, fairer Britain.' During the King's Speech debate, he promised 'radical reform' and said the government would 'tilt power back to workers, renters, and the less fortunate.' He also defended his plans for Troubles veterans and vowed to strengthen ties with the EU, calling Brexit promises 'not true.'
Other Developments
In a bizarre twist, Nicki Minaj compared Kemi Badenoch to Margaret Thatcher after a viral side-eye moment. Meanwhile, a website registered as WesForLeader.com has been locked behind a password, though Streeting's team denies involvement. Labour MP Charlotte Nichols dismissed reports she was stepping aside for Andy Burnham as 'complete b*****s.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander urged colleagues not to trigger a leadership contest, saying the 'British people wouldn't forgive us if we succumb to the psychodrama that the Conservatives did.'
As the political drama unfolds, Rayner's cleared status positions her as a potential unity candidate, though she has yet to confirm any leadership bid.
