Keir Starmer ‘in danger’ as Angela Rayner secures ‘£1m battle chest’ to exchange him
The reported move by Labour’s former deputy PM Angela Rayner comes as expectations grow that Sir Keir Starmer will soon face a challenge to his leadership
Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner in 2024 before she resigned from the Government(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Angela Rayner has reportedly secured a £1 million “war chest” to fund her bid to succeed Sir Keir Starmer.
The former deputy PM’s allies claim that she has put her stealth operation up a gear by starting to promise cabinet jobs to her supporters. Her alleged move comes as expectations grow that the PM will soon face a challenge to his leadership.
She has set up a new company called The Office of Angela Rayner Ltd, incorporated on January 22, to conduct her business. And allies say she has been cultivating donors as part of a “personal charm offensive” since being forced to resign over her underpayment of stamp duty.
Her supporters even claim HMRC is dragging out its investigation into her tax affairs at the behest of a “deep state” bid to scupper her from reaching No10. An ally said: “She has received more than a million in firm pledges and is ready to go.”
It comes as Sir Keir has been given his lowest-ever approval ratings in the latest poll by BMG Research. More than half of voters are now in favour of a change of Prime Minister, it found.
A spokesman for Ms Rayner said: “Angela has formed a company to provide staff support for her public activities, in line with precedent and with approval from the relevant authorities. Angela said she would co-operate fully with HMRC and continues to do so.
“A running commentary is not helpful, and nor is ill-informed gossip or idle speculation.”
Labour was contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has said Robert Jenrick’s defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK was “a mistake” and motivated by “frustrated personal ambition”.
Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme after former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman also decided to join Nigel Farage’s party earlier this week, he said: “Let’s keep it into perspective: it’s four (Conservatives) out of 121 and at least one of them, Robert Jenrick, did so out of frustrated personal ambition because he was upset that he didn’t become leader.
“We’re developing credible policies – Reform don’t have any credible policies.
Asked if he believes the Tory Party has a chance to win the next general election, Mr Philp replied: “I think we are fighting to win the next election. I think we can win the next election. I don’t want to overstate it, but the polls are getting a bit closer, and when it comes to the underlying indicators, like, who’s going to make the best prime minister, Kemi (Badenoch) is ahead of Nigel Farage and ahead of Keir Starmer.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
