ARTICLE AD BOX
Angela Rayner rules out being prime minister
Angela Rayner said she was “absolutely not” behind a leaked memo, and ruled out being prime minister.
The deputy prime minister was asked by Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips to dispel suggestions she may have been behind the leak of a memo to the chancellor, in order to grow support for a future leadership bid.
She replied: “Yeah, absolutely not, and I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party.”
Pressed on this, she added: “No, I’m very happy and honoured to be deputy prime minister of this country, and I’ve got a lot in my in-tray to prove that I can do the job that I’m doing and deliver on the milestones for the people of this country.
“That’s what I’m interested in.”
Asked to say the word never, she replied: “Never.”
Holly Evans25 May 2025 09:20
Nigel Farage would bring back winter fuel payments
Nigel Farage will commit to restoring the winter fuel payment to all pensioners and to scrapping the two-child benefit cap, reports have suggested.
The Reform UK leader is expected to appeal to left-wing voters with the moves in a speech next week, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
The newspaper said Mr Farage will describe Sir Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history and this past week has been evidence of that”, in his first speech since Reform made large gains in the local elections.
Reform UK is riding high in the opinion polls after its victories in town halls and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, according to YouGov.
A Reform source told the newspaper: “We’re against the two-child cap and we’d go further on winter fuel by bringing the payment back for everyone.
“That’s already outflanking Labour.”
Holly Evans25 May 2025 09:17
Inquiry underway into how Angela Rayner memo was leaked
An inquiry is “under way” into how a memo from Angela Rayner to Chancellor Rachel Reeves was leaked, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested.
Asked by Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips if a probe would be launched into how the memo was leaked, Ms Rayner said: “I think there’s one under way, and quite rightly so, because leaks are very damaging.
“It’s really damaging, because we have lots of sensitive conversations in the round, all of us, and then we make a collective decision.”
The Deputy PM would not be drawn into saying whether she wanted to see taxes raised, as the memo suggested was needed.
She told Sky News: “As a matter of principle, I will continue to have those conversations with our Government on how we can bring down the cost of living for working people, support children out of poverty, build the houses we said we’re going to do and protect our borders and security.”
Holly Evans25 May 2025 09:12
English (US) ·