"But by the end, the Labour benches were almost full. Though this was nothing to do with the pull of the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander. It was Angela Rayner who was the main attraction. The former housing secretary hasn't been heard from since her resignation in early September. Not in the Commons, nor in Liverpool for the party conference. Better late than never, she was now back to make a personal statement. The leaving speech that would herald her return."
"You can't overstate how depressed Labour MPs are right now. They know they were given a once in a generation chance in the 2024 election. Now they can feel it all slipping away through their hands. Ange gives them hope. Rayner began by talking of her pride at representing her constituents. Talking of her socialist values. You don't hear too much talk of those on the government frontbenches these days."
"The last few weeks have been tough, said Ange. No shit. It had taken a toll on her personal life. But she understood that public scrutiny came with the job. So no hard feelings. Well, not many. The actual details of her downfall were rather glossed over. She had made a mistake. The forms had been awfully complicated but now she was co-operating with HMRC. Yes, but it wasn't really like that, was i"
Angela Rayner returned to the Commons after resigning in early September and drew a large Labour presence despite limited spectacle. Her remarks emphasized pride in representing constituents and adherence to socialist values, which resonated with dispirited backbenchers. Many MPs feel a once-in-a-generation electoral opportunity is slipping away, and Rayner's presence provided a short-lived infusion of hope. She acknowledged personal strain and public scrutiny, admitted a mistake, and said she was co-operating with HMRC over complicated forms. The tone was personal rather than combative, and the moment prompted reflection on what the party had lost and might regain.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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