Why Did Angela Rayner Resign?

Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after a scandal revealed she failed to pay enough tax on her second home in Hove, East Sussex.

Her resignation comes after Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s ethics advisor, concluded that Rayner had breached the ministerial code. He stated that it was ‘deeply regretful’ Rayner did not seek out the correct tax advice initially and that she acted with “integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service".

This caused a big shuffle of ministers at the top of government, including David Lammy leaving his role as foreign secretary to replace Rayner as deputy prime minister. According to Downing Street, the only minister guaranteed to keep their job is Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Rayner also stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour party, which is expected to trigger a new election amongst party members.

Rayner’s departure leaves the Labour government without one of its most authentic working-class voices at a time when it is struggling to reconnect with a traditional voter base and trailing Reform in opinion polls.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, commented: "Angela Rayner is finally gone. But it's only because of Keir Starmer's weakness that she wasn't sacked".