🇬🇧 Angela Rayner Resigns Over Tax Error, Blow to Starmer Govt
What Happened
UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned after an investigation found she underpaid around £40,000 in stamp duty on the sale of a second home.
An independent ethics adviser concluded she breached the ministerial code by not seeking proper legal advice, even though she acted in good faith.
Impact
Rayner has stepped down as Deputy PM, Housing Secretary, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, though she will remain a Member of Parliament.
Her resignation is seen as a major political setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as she was one of his most trusted allies and an influential figure with grassroots Labour voters.
This marks the eighth resignation from Starmer’s cabinet in a short span, raising concerns over instability within the government.
Starmer’s Response
The PM called Rayner a “true friend and trusted colleague,” praising her contributions and expressing regret at her departure.
Cabinet Reshuffle
Following Rayner’s resignation, a reshuffle was immediately announced:
David Lammy – appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Yvette Cooper – appointed Foreign Secretary.
Shabana Mahmood – appointed Home Secretary.
Why It Matters
Rayner was a bridge between Labour’s factions and a key voice for working-class voters.
Her exit leaves a leadership gap just as Labour faces challenges from both the opposition Conservatives and the rising Reform UK party.
