POLL: Would Angela Rayner make a better Prime Minister than Keir Starmer? | Politics | News
Sir Keir’s position looks increasingly precarious, with dismal poll results leaving MPs worried about their seats. Ms Rayner is widely seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir. So what do you think? Could Ms Rayner be a better Prime Minister than Sir Keir? Vote in our poll and join the discussion in the comments section. Can’t see the survey below? Click here.
Ms Rayner is still awaiting the findings of an HMRC investigation into her failure to pay the correct stamp duty when buying a flat in Hove; This was the controversy that triggered his resignation from the Government in September last year.
But the Ashton-under-Lyme MP has significant support within the party and has long been seen as a strong candidate to replace Sir Keir.
The Prime Minister has backtracked from original plans for senior civil servant Sir Chris Wormald to decide which documents cannot be released on national security grounds or because they could harm international relations.
Under pressure from Labor MPs led by Ms Rayner, Sir Keir conceded that the decision could be made by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) instead.
Sir Keir’s future has looked increasingly uncertain since he admitted knowing about Lord Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed him as ambassador to the US.
He said the former business secretary “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship.
On Sunday, Sir Keir’s private secretary Morgan McSweeney resigned, saying she took “full responsibility” for giving advice to the Prime Minister that resulted in the “wrong” appointment of Lord Mandelson.
But scrutiny of Sir Keir’s own decision is increasing as critics, including some MPs, insist he makes the final call.
