Yet Another Headache For Starmer As Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali Resigns. Here's Why.

Rushanara Ali has just resigned as minister for homelessness.Rushanara Ali, a junior minister in Keir Starmer’s government, abruptly resigned from the government last night.It came just hours after the i newspaper reported that Ali, formerly the homelessness minister, had evicted tenants from her own property and then re-listed the house within a matter of weeks – for a higher rental price.While Ali insisted she has consistently followed the rules, she quit to avoid being a “distraction” to the government. Here’s what you need to know.Who is Rushanara Ali?Elected in 2010, the Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney has consistently represented London’s east end over her 15-year career in parliament.She was in the shadow cabinet under former Labour leader Ed Miliband, and supportedJeremy Corbyn during his own leadership race.She was appointed to be the homelessness minister under Starmer, reporting into Angela Rayner’s Housing, Communities and Local Government department.For years, Ali was repeatedly elected on a very healthy majority – until July 2024, that is.Her majority of around 37,000 was eroded down to under 1,700, with many constituents choosing to support the independent pro-Gaza candidate.She has repeatedly faced pressure in her constituency over the government’s position on Palestine ever since the war broke out in 2023.Ali was also a minister of building safety but was forced to give up that element of her portfolio, after she went to a conference linked to the parent company of a firm criticised in the recent Grenfell inquiry last October.Why did Ali resign as a minister?The i newspaper reported that Ali had evicted four tenants from her east London flat last November, intending to put the property up for sale, and then given them four months’ notice.She was then unable to sell it and decided to rent it again within six months – this time charging £700 more, taking the total overall monthly rent to £4,000.This goes against the government’s own plans to clamp down on landlords’ behaviour towards tenants in its Renters’ Rights Bill, which is now in its final stages in parliament.Ali herself is trying to outlaw landlords re-listing homes at higher prices within six months.The report triggered immediate backlash from homelessness charities, with London Renters Union spokesperson Sian Smith saying her response was “indefensible” and that she “must step down” due to this “clear conflict of interest”.What did Ali say?Writing in her open letter to the prime minister on Thursday evening, the MP said she was resigning “with a heavy heart” – but made it clear she believed she had acted correctly.She wrote: “I wanted to make it clear that at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements. I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this.”But Ali claimed staying in her role “will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government”.It has been an honour to have served in this Labour Government. To avoid any further distraction for the government, I have resigned as a Minister. My letter to the Prime Minister.https://t.co/fOes7m3cUHpic.twitter.com/TNJIXxzhWU— Rushanara Ali MP 💙 (@rushanaraali) August 7, 2025How did Starmer respond?In a rather short reply, the prime minister praised Ali for her “diligent work” in her department, and said her work delivering landmark reforms such as tackling harassment would “leave a lasting legacy”. “I know you will continue to support the government from the backbenches and represent the best interests of your constituents in Bethnal Green and Stepney,” he added.How has the rest of Westminster reacted?The Conservatives were delighted, considering they had been calling for her to resign ever since the i newspaper’s report.Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory chairman, said: “It is right that Rushanara Ali has now quit the government following our calls for her to go.“Keir Starmer promised a government of integrity – but has instead presided over a government of hypocrisy and self-service. Once again it’s one rule for Labour and one for everyone else.“With a fourth minister now having to step down in disgrace, it is clear the British public deserve so much better than the endless sleaze and scandal of this Labour government.”Liberal Democrat spokesperson said:“Rushanara Ali fundamentally misunderstood her role. Her job was to tackle homelessness, not to increase it.“At a time of widespread political disillusionment, her actions were staggeringly irresponsible and only added insult to injury after years of delay for renters’ rights reform under the Conservatives.The prime minister must appoint a new homelessness minister swiftly who will take the need to end homelessness once and for all seriously.”What does this mean for the government?This is not a catastrophic problem for Downing Street because Ali left so soon after the report first came out.But Starmer will still not be best pleased, considering this is yet another ministerial headache which tarnishes his promise to be a government of integrity.She follows a string of other ministers who have left in the last 13 months.Louise Haigh quit as transport secretary after it was revealed she had a fraud conviction from 2013, Tulip Siddiq quit as anti-corruption minister following controversy over her links to her aunt, the former prime minister of Bangladesh.Andrew Gwynne was sacked as health minister over offensive comments he made in a WhatsApp group.Anneliese Dodds quit as the international development minister over Starmer’s decision to reduce the aid budget while Vicky Foxcroft quit as the Labour whip over Starmer’s welfare cuts.Sue Gray also resigned as Starmer’s chief of staff amid furore over her high pay and rumours of friction within Downing Street over the prime minister’s freebies.But Ali’s swift exit demonstrates Starmer’s ruthlessness, once again. It’s now painfully clear to anyone in government: slip up, and you’re gone.Related...Homelessness Minister Said To Have Kicked Out Her Own Tenants, Then Hiked Up The RentHow Starmer Told His Cabinet To Stop Beating Themselves Up – Then Cracked The Whip On Rebel MPsKeir Starmer Is Right To Point The Finger Of Blame At The Tories For Afghan Data Leak Scandal

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