Rayner issues 'last chance' warning to Starmer and backs Burnham's return

The Labour Party is at a critical juncture following a devastating performance in recent local elections and the loss of its long-held power in the Welsh Parliament. Angela Rayner, the former deputy leader, has issued a stark warning, stating that the party has its "last chance" to reconnect with voters and regain its footing.

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Labour faces its "last chance"

In a significant intervention, Rayner publicly endorsed Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, for a return to Westminster. This move signals a potential challenge to the current leadership under Sir Keir Starmer, who faces mounting pressure to demonstrate a clear path forward. Rayner's statement, while not a direct leadership bid, amplifies the calls for a change in strategy and tone within the party.

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We are in danger of becoming a party of the well-off, not working people

Rayner's critique focuses on Labour's perceived drift away from its traditional working-class base. She argues that the party risks becoming associated with the well-off rather than the people it aims to represent. Her proposed solutions include empowering regional mayors with greater economic control, increasing the minimum wage, and embracing new models of public and cooperative ownership. These ideas suggest a desire for a more radical and regionally focused approach to policy-making.

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What we are doing isn't working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance.

The electoral setbacks have created an environment ripe for internal debate. With Labour losing nearly 1,500 councillors and its dominance in Wales ending, the urgency for reform is palpable. Rayner's intervention, coupled with potential challenges from other figures like Health Secretary Wes Streeting, indicates a deep internal struggle over the party's future direction and its ability to win back public trust.

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