Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, has reportedly given up vaping, according to government minister Steve Reed. The revelation, made during a weekend dinner and subsequently shared with Sky News, has ignited discussions about the intersection of personal habits and political ambition. Rayner, who is considered the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader, appears to be preparing for the highest office by shedding what some might consider a vice.
The Significance of Quitting Vaping
Rayner's love for vaping is well-documented. A memorable photograph captures her vaping in a dinghy off Brighton beach during the tax turmoil that led to her resignation last year. Such images have become part of her public persona. However, for a prospective prime minister, quitting vaping may be seen as a necessary step to project discipline and responsibility. The habit, often associated with poor impulse control and addiction, might not align with the expectations of a national leader.
Yet, there is a counterargument. A leader who openly displays a minor human failing could signal a new kind of authenticity. Instead of striving for unattainable perfection, a prime minister who embraces ordinariness might resonate with voters tired of political posturing. This could realign public moralising with lived morality, challenging outdated notions of respectability.
Historical Context and Comparisons
Historically, prime ministers have been held to impossibly high personal standards. Boris Johnson's clownish approach to probity contrasted sharply with Keir Starmer's earnestness, yet both faced scrutiny. Rayner's situation is complicated by her gender and past tax scandal, which may never be fully erased. Steve Reed's disclosure could be interpreted in multiple ways: as an attempt to neutralise her candidacy, support for a third option, or a signal of allegiance to Rayner.
Ultimately, whether Rayner's vaping habit matters depends on evolving societal norms. As with divorce and other personal scandals, what was once disqualifying may no longer hold sway. Rayner's potential leadership could modernise respectability by proving that a bad habit need not impede performance or harm others. However, she faces an uphill battle in a party still dominated by male figures.
