Keir Starmer’s reputation scores will bounce again, the deputy prime minister has insisted, saying the federal government would ship materials enhancements to individuals’s lives over the subsequent 5 years.
Angela Rayner mentioned the prime minister had been underestimated earlier than however predicted he would turn out to be extra well-liked because the impression of the modifications Labour was introducing started to be felt.
“I believe he’ll be remembered as any individual who mounted the foundations,” she advised the Guardian in her first interview since Labour’s landslide election victory. “Public service isn’t about being well-liked, it’s about being accountable greater than something. That’s extra vital.”
The federal government is making an attempt to refocus consideration on its plans earlier than the Labour occasion’s annual convention in Liverpool, which begins on Saturday, but it surely has struggled to get again on the entrance foot amid damaging rows over salaries, freebies and fractious relationships in No 10.
Rayner is writing to all 12 metro mayors in England to instruct them to attract up native plans to assist increase long-term development of their areas, on the similar time bringing a lot wanted enchancment in areas together with housing, transport and abilities.
As native authorities secretary she’s going to publish a white paper subsequent month that may give further powers to mayors together with Sadiq Khan in London, Andy Burnham in Larger Manchester and Ben Houchen, the Tory mayor for Tees Valley, together with probably elevating extra of their very own funds.
“We’re going to verify they’ve received all of the components to thrive as a result of … the place you set energy with individuals with pores and skin within the sport, you may actually ship,” she mentioned.
“My ambition is to have extra powers and to have extra mayors … I’m not going to drive individuals to have a mayor however I do wish to see extra, and deeper powers for these areas.”
Extra fiscal devolution, nevertheless, could be contingent on every mayoral deal. “The place they’re financially prudent and competent and exercising that by means of their development plans and their visions for his or her areas, we would like them to have the ability to have extra management over how they spend that cash.”
Rayner predicted that the general public, hungry for change after voting Labour into energy with an enormous parliamentary majority of 174, would perceive they must look ahead to transformational change to the nation.
However solely, she added, if the federal government might clarify why it wanted time to “repair the foundations” first because of the poor financial inheritance from the Conservatives.
“Now that’s not glamorous, you may’t stick that on the facet of a bus, as a result of these are basic, foundational modifications,” she mentioned. “You need to degree with individuals the place we’re at, as a result of individuals have to grasp you may solely work with what you’ve received.”
After weeks of criticism of Starmer over his gloomy method to the financial system and the state of the nation, Rayner provided hope that Labour would be capable of begin to flip issues round earlier than the subsequent election.
“Inside 5 years, individuals may have a greater life. We gained’t be capable of repair every little thing instantly, however you will notice the sprigs and the distinction that the Labour authorities has made,” she mentioned.
“Keir is de facto severe about saying: ‘I’ll by no means play quick and free with the general public funds as a result of truly, whether or not it makes me well-liked or not, I’ll do what’s within the public curiosity to repair the issue’.”
Rayner batted away solutions that Starmer could be thrown off track by inside rows amongst Downing Avenue employees, which cupboard ministers have mentioned danger undermining the federal government.
“I’m in there on a regular basis, I simply don’t see the caricature,” she mentioned. Rayner is claimed to worth the recommendation and expertise of Sue Grey, Starmer’s embattled chief of employees and the topic of probably the most bitter briefings.
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She additionally denied reviews she was upset that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had been given the usage of Dorneywood, the grace-and-favour mansion normally reserved for the second-most senior minister in authorities.
“Rachel wished Dorneywood, I’m completely satisfied for Rachel to be utilizing it. It was by no means a difficulty … I’m certain Rachel will let me go and go to Dorneywood if I wish to. The concept we’re going round combating about mansions or no matter else … ”
Rayner defended ministers for accepting freebies after the prime minister was embroiled in a row for declaring extra free tickets and items than different main occasion leaders in current occasions, along with his complete now topping £100,000, together with garments donated to his spouse, Victoria.
“Keir declared it which is how the story arose … placing the report straight was the vital factor. I do assume the foundations matter,” she mentioned. “Look, the donations guidelines apply to all of us. Keir is de facto clear that it’s important to disclose if you’ve had donations.”
It emerged on Friday night that Starmer, Reeves and Rayner would now not settle for free items of garments following the outcry about donations.
Rayner is seeking to head off one other probably damaging row at convention on the federal government’s plans for employees’ rights, and can meet commerce union leaders on Saturday to thrash out the bundle.
She insisted there wasn’t “a Rizla paper” between her and Jonathan Reynolds, the enterprise secretary, over plans for longer probation intervals for brand spanking new employees.
She mentioned they’d reached a “candy spot”, which is believed to be six months, longer than she had hoped for, however the Treasury is believed to have intervened.
Rayner, who can be accountable for delivering Labour’s goal to construct 1.5m new properties by the tip of the parliament, described herself as a “yimby” on a nationwide degree as a result of she had reimposed native house-building targets.
She understood “official” issues amongst native individuals who opposed extra growth, generally referred to as nimbys, about getting enough infrastructure in place and didn’t wish to upset them unnecessarily.
However she added that “you may’t please all people the entire time”, and was not against calling in massive initiatives that had been blocked by native authorities if she needed to.
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