I'm so torn on Rayner.
Clearly the best person for the job in terms of ability. Incredible story, personable, good at politics, charismatic and has delivered in govt. Has shown it again today. A symbol of what Labour should help people achieve.
But...
In our exc tonight -
How cabinet minsters viewed govt amendment as a mistake
How Angela Rayner brokered the deal to save government from defeat - again
“If Ange ran tonight she’d get the numbers,” says one MP.
... her polling is incredibly poor *and* very hard - not much room for improvement. The right wing press have done a absolute number on her.
We remain a deeply classist and sexist nation - and it shows in how she's treated by the public. And it goes way beyond normal anti-Labour peeps.
Urgh
Im so very tempted to say we should just go fuck it, put her in place and properly own it. I would love that.
But the stakes are so high - we get this wrong and we get Reform. And the data is the data
If she's the best choice, do it.
I don't think the public's view is that firm on her. Prime ministers will be judged by their actions. Maybe she'll get less leeway to start with than others but come 2028/9, that's not going to matter. What happens in between does.
Feb 5, 2026 12:09
