Lord Ashcroft's Biography Scrutinises Angela Rayner's Path to Power
In a 2020 ITV interview, Lynne, the mother of Angela Rayner, boldly predicted, 'My daughter will be running this country in a few years' time... she'll be the prime minister soon.' At the time, even Rayner herself chuckled at the notion. However, as the old Bob Monkhouse saying goes, she's not laughing now. The self-proclaimed Queen of the North, who left school at 16 with no qualifications and a baby on the way, genuinely stands as a potential successor to figures like Churchill, Attlee, Thatcher, and Blair. This prospect excites some voters while alarming others, sparking intense debate about her suitability for the highest office.
Early Life and Career: From Stockport to Westminster
Angela Rayner was born in Stockport in March 1980, the second of three siblings. Her childhood was marked by material deprivation and emotional instability, with her mother battling bipolar disorder and her father lacking a steady profession. The family resided on a crime-ridden housing estate, relying on Giro cheques for support. Despite these challenges, Rayner found strength in her grandmother, Jean, and was an enthusiastic Girl Guide. However, by age 13, she was frequenting nightclubs in Manchester and, in her own words, 'getting into scrapes.'
After giving birth, she moved into her own council flat, making ends meet by selling flowers in pubs. At 18, she worked as a private Home Help for six months before taking on a similar role with Stockport Council from 2000. Notably, Rayner has claimed she served as a Samaritan between ages 17 and 20, though this assertion has been met with skepticism. She later stated she was a carer 'for almost a decade,' but records indicate this lasted a maximum of five years. During her time at Stockport Council, she joined the trade union Unison, transitioning to full-time work with them by 2005.
Political Ascent and Personal Controversies
Rayner's political career was significantly influenced by her marriage to Mark Rayner, Unison's assistant branch secretary, whom she met in 2007. Despite a 17-year age gap, he guided her through Unison's ranks, helping launch her political trajectory. They had two sons in 2008 and 2009, marrying in 2010. However, their marriage certificate revealed they listed separate addresses a mile apart, a situation that, according to electoral rolls, persisted until 2015. Neighbours contested this, insisting the family lived together, while Rayner's brother, Darren, was recorded as residing with Mark and the children during this period.
In a 2023 interview, Rayner expressed a desire to cut the right-to-buy scheme in government, a policy despised by the Left. Yet, she did not disclose that she had personally benefited from this scheme, purchasing a house in 2007 with a £26,000 discount under Margaret Thatcher's policy and selling it in 2015 for a £48,500 profit. This omission raised questions about hypocrisy and potential breaches of electoral law, leading to police involvement after the publication of Lord Ashcroft's biography, Red Queen?, in February 2024. Rayner maintained she had taken independent advice clearing her of wrongdoing but refused to publish it, accusing Ashcroft of having an 'unhealthy interest' in her family.
Character and Leadership Style: The 'Diva' Nickname
Those who worked closely with Rayner after she became MP for Ashton-under-Lyne described her as pompous, tight-fisted, insecure, manipulative, and controlling, earning her the nickname 'the Diva.' One source was appalled to discover her computer password was 'VomitBreath69,' inspired by a first date with her future husband where both fell ill after a bad curry. Her loyalty was also questioned when her chief adviser, Matt Finnegan, was sacked while on leave due to Type 1 diabetes in 2017. Labour later paid him £20,000 in hush money after written communications from Rayner were deemed damaging.
Rayner has often courted controversy, whether by calling Tories 'scum' or describing Jeremy Corbyn as 'a thoroughly decent man' despite the Equality and Human Rights Commission's findings on anti-Semitism under his leadership. She has used interviews to discuss graphic personal topics, such as her breast enhancement and childhood menstruation, leading some to view her as marketing herself like a celebrity rather than a traditional politician.
Political Positions and Policy Challenges
Politically, Rayner is hard to place, having worked for the hard Left under Corbyn and then for Starmer, while praising centrists like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. She has declared, 'ideology never put food on my table,' yet she is rampantly pro-trades union and untested in global affairs and the economy. Her uncompromising nature was evident when she stated Tory MP Esther McVey was 'not fit to be an MP' over comments on same-sex relationships education.
As Housing Secretary, she faced the impossible target of overseeing 1.5 million homes by 2030, becoming so frustrated she threatened to quit, only staying after Tony Blair intervened. Her policies on employment rights have proven contentious and expensive, and her attempt to define Islamophobia remains under fierce debate, with fears it could introduce a blasphemy law.
Polling and Public Perception: A Divisive Figure
Polling conducted by Lord Ashcroft suggests Rayner is a more divisive figure than Keir Starmer. In December, voters were more than twice as likely to say she would make a worse prime minister than Starmer. Conservative and Reform UK voters held this view, while Labour supporters were more inclined to see her as an improvement. Focus groups indicate some find her background and blunt approach refreshing, but not everyone is convinced. A Rayner premiership could galvanise voters on both sides, though she seems unlikely to win new converts to Labour's cause.
Ultimately, while Rayner possesses ambition and a unique story, her lack of experience, impetuous nature, and divisive persona raise concerns about her suitability for high office. As Lord Ashcroft concludes, successful prime ministers require a certain je ne sais quoi that appears absent in Rayner, yet he remains open to a coffee and chat with her, acknowledging her journey from adversity to political prominence.
