Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and bookmakers' favorite to succeed Keir Starmer, has reportedly quit vaping. The revelation came from government minister Steve Reed, who dined with her over the weekend and shared the news with Sky News. The connection between her ambition for the highest office and giving up the habit seems clear.
Vaping and the Path to Power
Rayner's love for vaping is well-documented, epitomized by a memorable photograph of her vaping in a dinghy off Brighton Beach during the tax turmoil that led to her resignation last year. While vaping might be tolerated among middle-aged women due to a 'cloak of invisibility,' it is seen differently for a prospective prime minister. The habit signals addiction, poor impulse control, and a contrarian streak that may not align with the expectations of an authority figure.
The Role Model Dilemma
Quitting vaping is likely a strategic move to meet the high personal standards demanded of a prime minister. The public expects leaders to be not just mostly decent but at the pinnacle of self-discipline. This creates a stressful dynamic where leaders must perform perfection, often leading to deception when they inevitably fall short. Rayner's decision to quit may be an attempt to avoid this trap.
Authenticity Over Perfection
However, there is an argument that a leader who openly displays a minor human failing could be refreshing. Instead of exceptionalism, Rayner could embody ordinariness and relatability. This might help realign public moralizing with lived morality, which has drifted apart. For decades, personal scandals like divorce were considered disqualifying for a prime minister, but Boris Johnson's tenure challenged that notion. Rayner could modernize respectability by showing that a bad habit does not impede performance or harm others.
An Uphill Battle
Despite this potential, Rayner faces significant hurdles. The tax scandal that ended her deputyship remains a stain on her record, and she is a woman in a male-dominated party. Steve Reed's revelation could be interpreted in multiple ways: as an attempt to undermine her candidacy, as a signal of support for her leadership bid, or as a move to boost a third option. The ambiguity leaves room for speculation.
Ultimately, Rayner's choice to quit vaping may be a calculated step toward the premiership, but it also raises questions about whether voters value perfection or authenticity in their leaders.
