Angela Rayner 'Within five years, people will have a better life'
The Guardian|September 21, 2024
A longside Michael Foot's "donkey jacket", an empty can of BrewDog's Barnard Castle Eye Test beer and a pike from Peterloo, sits a new exhibit at the People's History Museum in Manchester: the jacket Angela Rayner wore when she first stood in at prime minister's questions against Boris Johnson.
Pippa Crerar
Angela Rayner 'Within five years, people will have a better life'

The now deputy prime minister donated the powder-blue Marks & Spencer fitted knit jacket to the museum, where it is displayed in a glass case alongside a range of other Labour party memorabilia. "Look, I give clothes away too," she jokes.

Sitting downstairs in the cafe at the museum, Rayner bats away some of the damaging headlines - over donated clothes, staff salaries and bitter Downing Street infighting - that have plagued Labour in recent days, insisting that she is getting on with the serious business of governing.

As the party prepares for its annual conference in Liverpool, Keir Starmer has faced criticism for declaring more free tickets and gifts than other major party leader in recent times, with his total topping £100,000, including clothes donated to his wife, Victoria.

But for Rayner, the important thing is that he did declare the gifts, unlike some of his predecessors in No 10. "Look, the donations rules apply to all of us. Keir is really clear that you have to disclose when you've had donations," she said.

"I do think the rules matter. I've been slagged off for going to Glyndebourne. I've been slagged off for going to Ibiza for four days on my holidays. Am I not allowed to do that?" "I get criticised for doing things.

The fashion brand] ME EM donated me some suits and I declared them and you know, I've donated clothes for charity the other way," she said.

Denne historien er fra September 21, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 21, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
Intelligence UK and France to continue to share data with Ukraine
The Guardian

Intelligence UK and France to continue to share data with Ukraine

Britain will continue to supply intelligence to Ukraine, though the more limited capabilities on offer from London and other European countries will make it difficult to replace the flow halted from the US this week.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Tennis stars win 'transformational' maternity rights under deal with Saudi investors
The Guardian

Tennis stars win 'transformational' maternity rights under deal with Saudi investors

The Women's Tennis Association has become the first global sports body to introduce up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for players.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Donald Trump Most people see US president as threat to peace in Europe, poll finds
The Guardian

Donald Trump Most people see US president as threat to peace in Europe, poll finds

Large majorities in five western European countries think Donald Trump is a threat to peace and security in Europe, a survey has found, after the US president assailed Volodymyr Zelenskyy and suspended military aid to Ukraine.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian

Poundland's owner warns of lower earnings and says chain may be sold off

Poundland's owner could put the chain up for sale, saying it faces tough competition and increased wage costs from next month under Labour's tax-raising plans.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Zelenskyy's rivals deny plot to oust him despite holding talks with US
The Guardian

Zelenskyy's rivals deny plot to oust him despite holding talks with US

Ukraine's opposition leaders yesterday confirmed having discussions with members of Donald Trump's entourage but denied being part of any White House plot to remove Volodymyr Zelenskyy from power.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian

Theatre review Stellar cast balances the comic tragedy of thwarted lives

Chekhov described his country-house drama as a comedy, creating its serious yet silly characters \"not without pleasure\". Still, it is a test of tone and performance to render with humour a story that scales so much thwarted life.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian

Kylie is among King Charles's top artists, royal playlist reveals

Kylie has a legion of fans around the globe, but it might come as a surprise to many that the king is one of those who can't get her out of his head.

time-read
1 min  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian

Four in 10 Britons did not read a book in the past year - survey

Four in 10 Britons did not read or listen to a book in the past year, a survey has found.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Donations to Tories race ahead as industry turns back on Labour
The Guardian

Donations to Tories race ahead as industry turns back on Labour

The Conservatives raised twice as much in donations as Labour at the end of last year, including £250,000 from Michael Ashcroft.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian

Trade war China says it will fight US 'to the end'

China's ministry of foreign affairs has promised China will \"fight to the end\" with the US in a \"tariff war, trade war or any other war\", marking Beijing's strongest rhetoric on Donald Trump since he entered the White House.

time-read
1 min  |
March 07, 2025