Wes Streeting received a standing ovation at the Labour conference today for his commendation of Angela Rayner, expressing a desire for her return. The Health Secretary emotionally acknowledged Rayner’s contribution to a fair pay agreement for social care workers, highlighting her experience as a former care worker turned Deputy Prime Minister. Streeting emphasized the importance of Rayner’s influence and expressed the party’s wish for her comeback.
Just weeks ago, Rayner resigned from her positions as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary due to tax issues related to her property in Hove. The Prime Minister’s ethics chief found that she had underpaid stamp duty on her East Sussex property. Despite the ethical breach, Rayner was praised by Housing Secretary Steve Reed as a “true working-class hero.” Rayner, absent from the current conference, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from fellow Labour members and activists.
In her resignation letter to Keir Starmer, Rayner took responsibility for the tax error, emphasizing her intent to rectify the situation. She cited the strain on her family from the incident as unbearable. Starmer assured her of her continued importance within the party in a heartfelt handwritten message.