Rayner is throwing her lot in behind Andy Burnham under the promise that she will be rewarded handsomely for stepping aside. Guido hears those in her inner circle are lobbying for Foreign Secretary. A great office of state which obviously provides lots of glitzy foreign travel…
It would be a real-world promotion from her previous role as Housing Secretary. She may also regain the nonsense ‘Deputy Prime Minister’ title if she wants it, which would allow her to once again deputise at PMQs when required. A role she relished, even if the country didn’t…
Of course, this all depends on whether Streeting makes his move. If he chickens out and Burnham becomes more credible, Rayner will likely step back. But if Streeting pulls the trigger soon, that may change…
Starmer loyalist and Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Sky News that Starmer should not be replaced:
“We saw what the Tories did. They were in power for 14 years, and after 2016, I think we had nine education secretaries, seven chancellors, and five Prime Ministers. Doomscrolling through Prime Ministers doesn’t resolve the problem.”