Rayner’s exit is a bombshell. But the real crisis for Starmer may have only just begun | Jonathan Freedland

From the outset her role has been crucial, and her fall will exacerbate all the doubts about the PM and his ability to keep Labour in power A government that was already reeling has sustained another massive blow. Elected in a landslide slightly more than a year ago, Labour hit the midterm blues within a few months, currently has the poll numbers of an administration in its dying days – and has now witnessed a scandal and resignation close to the apex of power.Perhaps the many New Labour veterans now installed in Downing Street will be reassuring Keir Starmer that the storm of Angela Rayner’s departure will pass, reminding him that the Blair cabinet saw the exit of one Peter Mandelson – also over his homeowning arrangements, as it happens – similarly early in the first term, but paid no electoral price. And yet, the prime minister has only to look at the economic numbers and his own popularity ratings to know that this is not 1998 and he is no Tony Blair.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Comments

Similar News

A tiny Southall restaurant, whose chef feeds Bollywood — Jay Rayner reviews Apna Punjab

It’s not about Rayner or Farage: the real tax story is how the super-rich avoid paying their share| Rebecca Gowland

Nobody can replace Angela Rayner

Why Angela Rayner’s tax bill was more important than Nigel Farage’s

Bridget Phillipson pitches herself as continuity Rayner

No, that wasn’t Angela Rayner dancing and rapping: you’ll need to understand AI slopaganda | Marcus Beard

We need more politicians like Angela Rayner | Letters

Ella Baron on the fall of Angela Rayner and the rise of Reform UK – cartoon

Angela Rayner’s exit proves it. Unless Starmer is able to meet this moment, Reform is on the path to power | John Harris

'I'm going to f*** him up!' Furious Labour MPs tell DAN HODGES they 'hate' Starmer after Rayner chaos - as we reveal the candidates trying to 'knife' him... and ED MILIBAND is among them!

Rayner out, Labour moves right

Sins against food — Jay Rayner reviews Mr Porter, Mayfair

ALEX BRUMMER: Tax collection hurts, just ask Angela Rayner

The Guardian view on Angela Rayner’s exit: a loss that exposes Labour’s deeper faultlines | Editorial

Farage dances on Angela Rayner’s political grave

The British public is being gaslit about Angela Rayner

Cutting Angela Rayner loose would be a disaster for Labour

Rayner’s resignation comes at huge cost to Starmer

Angela Rayner is a victim of Britain’s housing crisis

A guide to Hove for Angela Rayner

Opinions

It's official - the stalking of Sussan Ley has begun... as 'future leader' sets off a bomb: PETER VAN ONSELEN

No Deal —Why Trump shouldn’t touch LIRR union fight

It's one year since the Manchester City trial of the century started: This is what has shocked experts, what they believe is going on behind closed doors and what it means for the verdict on their 115 charges

Emma Stone went all in for her ‘terrifically funny or hilariously horrific’ new film ‘Bugonia’

Three years later, Iran’s freedom martyr Mahsa Amini inspires demands for change

Hollywood’s latest Hamas stooge Hannah Einbender’s anti-Israel rant made her the Emmy’s ‘biggest loser’

Doubling down on Israel-bashing: Zohran Mamdani at his MOST sincere

Don’t let Buttigieg or any other Biden-decline denier claw back their credibility

Charlie Kirk’s free-speech advocacy: Letters to the Editor — Sept. 16, 2025

Trump’s UK state visit could push PM Starmer’s government over the edge

British comedienne makes vile online rant about Charlie Kirk's assassination

Charlie Kirk’s murder will break the left’s hateful cancel tactics

A Hollywood nepobaby cheers Hamas, and they repay her by censoring her shoulders

Kathy Hochul is a red-hot hypocrite who won’t support Zohran Mamdani’s tax-hike policies anyway

Charlie Kirk was right on liberty’s cost, America needs more arguments and other commentary

Fearmongering predictions about climate change keep falling apart

The warped meme life of Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer is a warning to parents—ignore it at your own risk

Starbucks needs proper managers — no one needs to wait 11 minutes for a drink with a cute message scribbled on the side

For the first time in a year the Tories felt like a serious force in parliament: QUENTIN LETTS

All eyes on change at the Fed amid fears a bubble is building - and may be set to burst: ALEX BRUMMER

The ugly Emmys insult to Charlie Kirk... the most hideously dressed actress... and why Stephen Colbert is truly pathetic: KENNEDY reveals the REAL awards and epic fails

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Why are we arranging weddings for illegal migrants we should be deporting? Is this where all our money is going?

Stop private foundations from ‘partnering’ to fund deadly government criminal-justice policies

Contributor: All L.A. rentals are to be cooled by 2032. Here's how to survive the heat until then

There’s no denying the trans links to suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Should I opt for a £64,000 lump sum or a higher monthly local government pension? STEVE WEBB replies

PETER VAN ONSELEN: Pull the other one, Chris Bowen. Little old Australia cutting its emissions by a little bit more is not going to spare us 'the worst'

Kathy Hochul is embracing all of Zohran Mamdani’s radical agenda with her spineless endorsement

A former Mossad chief uncovers his life fighting for Israel — and Western civilization

Is this the 'dream team' who could save the Coalition? As Sussan Ley takes the Liberals to unthinkable lows - WORSE than Dutton ever was! - the options for the future emerge...

Leaving monsters like Jamel McGriff free to kill is what ‘parole reform’ now means

ANDREW NEIL: We don't know where, when or how, but we do know Starmer is done... and this is why Labour is facing extinction

Don’t buy any Zohran Mamdani ‘apology’ for smearing the NYPD

ANDREW PIERCE: All right for sum! Sacked Mandy in line for £8million

American decline: Depopulation is possible — and could cause a collapse

Social media’s deranged Charlie Kirk responses, assassinations and history’s hinges, and other commentary

ALEX BRUMMER: Donors divide the art world giants

Hochul’s insensitive quip: Letters to the Editor — Sept. 15, 2025

Americans need to come together and rediscover what made this country great — before it’s too late

From mascara to hairdryers - I've found every 'DUPE' beauty product that's better than the real thing

Europe provoked its own destruction — with crises that threaten the entire West

Jeffrey Epstein skirted the same law the IRS uses to ruin small businesses

Housing hypocrites Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani put politics over wisdom

Minneapolis shooting was driven by anti-Catholic hatred that the media ignores

Charlie Kirk lived out the mission that our universities betrayed

Hochul must shame LIRR unions —by revealing their outrageous strike demands

I've been lying to my husband about the thing he loves most. If I come clean, he'll be humiliated: DEAR JANE

Charlie Kirk’s assassination is the result of a decade of anti-Trump rhetoric from the left

MAIL ON SUNDAY COMMENT: The weakest part of this crumbling Government? It's Starmer himself

FLOURISHING AFTER 50: Help! My partner and I have five adult kids, one family home... and a battle brewing over my will

TONY HETHERINGTON: I invested £160,000... then my financial adviser went bust

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Crazy card plan encourages thieves to empty your bank account

LIRR fare evaders and more: Letters to the Editor — Sept. 14, 2025

In Europe, too, Charlie Kirk’s message of faith fed Gen Z’s hunger for meaning

'He's not even in the top three most important people': Ministers tell me who REALLY runs the Government, why Keir Starmer is now alone and without allies... and the disturbing influence of Tony Blair: DAN HODGES

Gov. Hochul & MTA brass must face down LIRR union thugs’ strike threat

The party assassins after Sussan Ley: Insiders tell PVO they already have the numbers with a successor in the wings. The only question is when they'll strike...