Rayner Warns Labour Faces “Last Chance” After Election Losses

Angela Rayner has warned that Labour faces its “last chance”. The warning came after heavy election losses this week. The former deputy prime minister also backed Andy Burnham to return to Westminster. In a statement, Rayner said the party was wrong to block the Greater Manchester mayor from standing as an MP earlier this year. She called on Sir Keir Starmer to “meet the moment” with bolder action. Labour needs to make people feel better off, she said.

Not a Leadership Challenge

Rayner did not launch a leadership challenge herself. However, her intervention will add pressure on the embattled prime minister. Sir Keir will try to shore up his premiership in a speech on Monday.
In her first public comments since Thursday’s elections, Rayner called for more action on inequality and “squeezed living standards”. She wants regional mayors to have more economic powers. She also wants a higher minimum wage and new forms of public ownership.

“This May Be Our Last Chance”

“We are in danger of becoming a party of the well-off, not working people,” she added. “What we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance.”