Angela Rayner, who is often touted as a future Labour leadership contender, said there could not be a ‘worse time to swallow the false answers’ of Reform UK and the Greens
Angela Rayner has issued a warning over the domestic fallout of the Iran war as she urged the Government to take “bold action” to help with people’s water, housing and energy costs.
The former Deputy Prime Minister said the full impact of the Middle East conflict was yet to be seen, adding: “I think everyone here feels dread at the consequences”. Ms Rayner, who is often touted as a future Labour leadership contender, said there could not be a “worse time to swallow the false answers” of Reform UK and the Greens.
Her intervention came as Keir Starmer was mired in a fresh crisis over his decision to name Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, as sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins accused No10 of “constant pressure” to fast-track the appointment.
Addressing a conference attended by other senior Labour figures, she said: “We haven’t yet seen the full impacts of the Iran War and I think everyone here feels dread at the consequences.
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“This is exactly why we need to keep investing in renewable energy so we are not at the mercy of other people’s wars. Because as it is, ordinary people fear they will once again pay the price.”
It comes as fears mount over the cost to Britain over the US-Israeli war with Iran and the passage of vital oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
She went on: “That is why this crisis calls for bold action. Help with people’s everyday housing, transport, energy and water costs. Restoring our high streets and enabling smaller enterprises to thrive. Jobs that pay a wage on which you can live and where you aren’t afraid of facing the sack at a moment’s notice. And handing power over to communities.
“All the while, challenging those who seek to profit and feed their greed from this crisis. Let’s take bold action, and tell a bold story. About how we’re both tackling the immediate crisis, and taking the first steps towards an economy built for the one interest we should serve – the British people.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves told The Mirror last week she was “very frustrated and angry” at America’s actions as families across Britain suffer the consequences. She has insisted the Government will keep a “close eye” on gas and electricity prices and has promised to step in to help the most vulnerable families if necessary.
Delivering a speech to the Good Growth Foundation’s evening reception, Ms Rayner also joked about Andy Burnham being spotted visiting her Ashton-under-Lyne home on Friday.
Mr Burnham was photographed wearing what appeared to be a headscarf. Ms Rayner told the event: “I hope I’ve found the one audience in Westminster whose first question to me isn’t ‘what on earth was Andy Burnham wearing on his head?’ Because – and I’ll let this sink in with any journalists here – there are more important questions.
The former Deputy PM also used her speech to highlight flagship Labour policies, including the Renters’ Reform Act and the Employment Rights Act – a massive upgrade to workers’ rights including boosting sick pay provisions.
She added: “Now it’s time to go further – creating jobs that are secure and fairly paid, making life more affordable and shifting the balance to communities is the growth strategy we need right now.
“Stopping the extraction and hoarding of wealth and power, and letting the ordinary people who work to create growth get the benefits of what they build. Tackling the rip-offs, and ensuring there are consequences for those who take us for a ride.
“Freezing rail fares by tackling bumper profits, delivering free school meals and removing the child benefit cap so every child can grow up with opportunity, reducing energy bills for businesses and households alike.”
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