British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting she underpaid property tax on a new home. Her departure marks a significant blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration.
Rayner, 45, is the eighth minister to leave Starmer’s team and the most senior so far. Starmer had initially offered full support when allegations first surfaced, but the resignation confirms the issue’s seriousness.
In her resignation letter, Angela Rayner said, “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice. I take full responsibility for this error.” Starmer expressed sadness at her departure but acknowledged her decision as correct.
The resignation comes at a challenging time for Starmer, with Labour trailing Britain’s populist Reform UK in the polls. Losing his deputy is particularly damaging, as Rayner had been instrumental in mediating between Labour’s left and centrist wings, maintaining party unity.
She was also widely regarded for her working-class roots and broad appeal, sometimes being tipped as a potential successor to Starmer.
Rayner had referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards after realizing a tax mistake linked to a trust set up for her son, who suffers from lifelong disabilities.
She sold her share of a family home in northern England to buy an apartment in Hove, mistakenly believing she would not owe additional property tax. She has since taken steps to pay the owed amount.
Her departure adds to a troubling pattern for Starmer, who has now seen eight ministers resign over wrongdoing or errors—the highest number outside government reshuffles since 1979. This surpasses even Boris Johnson’s early ministerial exits.
As Starmer prepares for a critical budget and faces pressure from Reform UK and economic challenges, the resignation of Angela Rayner leaves him politically vulnerable. Analysts warn that Labour must work quickly to restore public confidence and stabilize its leadership team.
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