Rayner: government ‘cannot just go through the motions in the face of decline’ | Angela Rayner
Angela Rayner said Labour’s survival was at stake and warned Keir Starmer he would not be able to “catch up” in the face of dwindling support.
Speaking at campaign group Mainstream’s spring reception, the former deputy prime minister said he believed the government was “running out of time” to show it could deliver the change people need.
In what would be seen as a major intervention, Rayner said moving the goalposts to indefinite leave was “un-British”, putting him at odds with the government’s key immigration proposal to increase the standard qualification period for permanent residence from five to 10 years.
“It’s up to us to rebuild this country and this party; the question is, are we ready for the challenge? I know those in this room are ready,” Rayner said in London on Tuesday evening.
“As a party and a movement, we cannot hide, we cannot simply act in the face of regression. There is no safe ground and we are running out of time.
“The change that people desperately want needs to be seen, felt. And we need to show that it is a Labor government that will deliver it.”
Currently people can apply to stay indefinitely after five years, which gives them the right to live, study and work in the UK permanently.
On planned changes to the immigration system, Rayner said: “If we keep moving the goalposts, we can’t talk about reaching a deal. Because moving the goalposts would undermine our sense of fair play. That’s un-British.”
“Let’s be a country with sustainable economic immigration rules, but one that preserves the British values we want everyone who lives here to respect.
“Not special treatment. But stability and a fair way forward after the sacrifices many people have made to build a legal life in the UK.”
Rayner also condemned the policies of Reform and other opposition parties; He accused them of “creating fear by pitting people against each other and blaming them for political gain.”
The Ashton-under-Lyne MP, who resigned as deputy prime minister and housing minister last September, said: “Our flags have been turned into symbols of division, not the unity our values embody. This rhetoric is not only wrong, it is extremely dangerous.”
“And we know why they want this to be talked about nationally. Because they don’t have answers when it comes to our economy. They promise, but they don’t have a plan. Not for change. Not for justice.”
“They will admit the system is rigged, but they side with the cheaters.”
Last month, Transport Salaried Staff Union general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust called for Rayner to replace Starmer as Labor leader.
Last month, the Guardian revealed that an unfinished website claiming to have launched Rayner’s Labor leadership campaign was provisionally launched in January, leading to further speculation that the former deputy prime minister could be gearing up for a run to replace Starmer.
