Angela Rayner TUC speech could backfire | UK politics | The New Statesman

Angela Rayner, deputy Labour leader and “trade union favourite” delivered a speech full of promises at the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Now she and Keir Starmer have to deliver - or the unions could cause Labour problems.
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Reaffirming Labour’s commitment to the New Deal for Working people, Rayner shored up support among the unions as Labour approaches the next election.
But, as Rachel Wearmouth tells Anoosh Chakelian and Freddie Hayward on the New Statesman podcast, Rayner’s “one of us” status in the unions could spell problems for a future Labour government if they fall short their pledges.
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[@charlespirate1]

I didn’t get all the way through this. I gave up. What I saw was so shallow and depressing. Everything was politics as winning and losing. Nothing about how politics affects people and their lives. This is what is wrong with the Uk media. It’s soap opera.

[@TeHeOriginal]

I think the reality is Labour firstly has to win, first and foremost. They can always shift post election win

[@tomharris5169]

You criticise labour for not being bold or committing to anything, then criticise them when they do

[@davidhoward4715]

Exactly.

[@evildude951]

There's such a wide difference in views (and sense) between these people and the other columnists

[@ow124-k3z]

That is likely going to be because the New Stateman's backers want Labour to be boldly right-wing, rather than boldly left of centre.

[@keithparker1346]

It's vague commitments.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@ow124-k3z Contradiction in terms- boldly left of centre would still be very, very right wing. Centre ground simply means right wing- the so called centre has shifted inexorably to the right in the last 10, 20, 30, 40 years.

[@SandMan_86]

But it won't. Look at the polling on this. The public think Labour should continue or increase links with trade union.

[@nicksimmons7234]

Is this polling with Labour 20 points ahead?

[@ashtonoliver-scott]

⁠@@nicksimmons7234hasn’t all polling got labor on a 20ish point lead?

[@theshadowdirector]

'why aren't Labour promising to do anything?' 'OH NO. why did they promise something?!'

[@montyriviera795]

When the chap used the word 'radical' I think that word and Starmers Labour don't go hand in hand. I think he's right that Labour want to keep business on side, I just wonder if he shouldn't be rather more keen to keep the 6.6 million Trade Union members onside. But I don't see Starmer on many picket lines! I wonder why?

[@keithparker1346]

He's realised that it's easier to shaft unions and most of the public than big business

[@showmanpete2805]

it won't backfire, don't dismiss the mood of the country, we have had enough of the corrupt lying tories

[@seamuspadraigsanders431]

Lmfao, we haven't even had the government in yet and its already an utter shambles. 😅

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

The Nordic model is the way forward.

[@LesRothnie]

Thank you.

[@aoneill]

Levelling up was always a gimmick really. Nothing that would create fundamental change or improvement ever came out of it. It is not sexy to invest more in healthcare in the north east to correct health ineuqalities. It is sexy to build a bridge to nowhere. There are lots more Bridges to nowhere now but no fundamental change at all. Rayner will always do well and you do feel she is on your side. Can she make correcting inequalities attractive or fall into the short term trap? Who knows.

[@TimesFM4532]

Which is why devolution both powers and raw cash is vital

[@itsalwaystwentyfivetosixo.3805]

she's got a northern accent, get over it

[@daviddevoy2197]

Angela is yesterday's news based on this speech. Thus stuff has no place in any Starner Nu Labour government.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Starmer has effectively committed to this. He would not have signed off on it if he didn’t intend to at least try to do this.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@unconventionalideas5683committed to vague promises...I'm sure we can trust Starmer who has no history of reneging pledges 😂

[@fang_xianfu]

​@@keithparker1346 did you listen to the speech. She said more or less "we will repeal Tory anti-strike legislation and pass a new bill giving workers more rights in the first 100 days of the next parliament" and then giving a long list of what those rights will be. How is that vague?

[@keithparker1346]

@@fang_xianfu because David Lammy has stated before that Labour will not have time to repeal Tory laws. You seem gullible Rayner said nothing new that hasn't been on the Labour website for months. Ultimately if you trust this version of Labour you are foolish with Starmers track record

[@skrich9690]

​@@keithparker1346they won't have parliamentary time to repeal everything straight away. They have no choice but to prioritise.

[@abuyusufabdulhakim952]

This is not very interesting. The underlying question is: does democracy work when a party can't do sensible policies because big business worries about making a bit less money.

[@lestrem11]

The original ‘daft bint’.

[@official_ashhh]

keir starmer got glitter bombed !!

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

If Labour don’t do what Angela Rayner said Starmer would be in trouble.

[@keithparker1346]

Labour have publicly revealed their excuse they will fall back on for basically everything...fiscal rules and no money

[@nicklecornu5731]

City of London Bankers will be pleased their Zero Hours contracts might end, once Labour is in power.

[@mikecook1537]

How many industries actually have zero hour contracts? I've never come across them

[@nicklecornu5731]

hospitality @@mikecook1537

[@martincheeseman5809]

Come on Kier get these Tory liars OUT

[@t.s.aguilar5348]

Angela Rayner will realise that her TUC speech backfired the moment Tory Keir throws her out of the Labour party for expressing left leaning views.

[@fang_xianfu]

If he doesn't, will you be quiet about it from now on?

[@afgor1088]

@@fang_xianfu why are you against people expressing their political views? the labour right are authoritarian.

[@skrich9690]

​@@afgor1088it wasn't really a political view though was it.....more like the sort of throw-away dig that can be heard just before closing time down the pub.

[@afgor1088]

@@skrich9690 haha very funny. no.

[@464nescio6]

@@afgor1088 Being an authoritarian on the ideological left you should know.. Voters are found in the centre.. since the tories have abandoned the centre Labour steps in and is going to win next GE. With or without the strange coalition of the tories and the ideological left. Corbyn lost 2 GE's must it become 3? Can the british public afford that? If the answer to either of these questions is no, then vote anti-torie and tactical.. and if that in your constituency means voting Labour.. hold up your nose and do it..

[@richardhorton25]

Through austerity the Tories took c£14bn off council budgets and then came back with £2.9bn as a "levelling up" budget which councils had to bid for, which was both expensive and uncertain in its outcome, Tory constituencies being the most likely to succeed. LU was a con from the start and significantly failed to either spend the money or target it to places of most need. It was also a centralisation of power to Westminster, disenfranchising local authorities. Labour should not use the term as it is tainted but rather restore funding to local authorities to spend as they see fit

[@seamuspadraigsanders431]

Where will the extra money come from.

[@skrich9690]

@@seamuspadraigsanders431 removing subsidies and tax breaks to the big energy companies would save £20bn.

[@seamuspadraigsanders431]

@@skrich9690 That's pittance really the national deficit is 137 billion, so we need another 117 billion, great start though.

[@seamuspadraigsanders431]

@@skrich9690 So this is interesting, if Labour keep the conservatives current policies and do nothing economically until 2027-2028 using conservatives budgeting and economics, we will be in surplus. Which I find very interesting, thought that would put your mind at ease as far as the EU, Brexit, current GDP etc goes.

[@skrich9690]

@@seamuspadraigsanders431 But doesn't that mean nothing will be spent on repairing schools, hospitals, roads, public services, etc etc. I don't see how that improves anything.

[@nickkowal6537]

Government of and for the people. NOT corporate interests.

[@keithparker1346]

That's not Labour or Tory then

[@robdavenport1279]

"Giving unions more power in the first 100 days." For most people that signals that strikes commence on day 101. That speech is not going to win over any voters.

[@Bertrum123]

Would you prefer it went back to when there was no unions .and the days of surfdom .unions pretty much got every man and woman in the uk the benifits they enjoy now wether they were in a union or not .

[@WestfaliaStuff]

Good.

[@justsayen2024]

One of the problems labor going it's going to have coming in is, not knowing how much money the treasury's going to hold.

[@keithparker1346]

Lack of money is just a bs excuse Labour want you to believe so they can do nothing

[@johnbooth3073]

However it will be more than nothing which is what Labour left the Conservative’s with that infamous note.

[@lestrem11]

More power to the unions…..that’s the election gone right there. Tragic.

[@davidpearn5925]

Oh goodie…..Rupert specialises in fear n loathing.

[@nicks4934]

No it wont. Labour are going to win ❤

[@keithparker1346]

Labour will win , but don't deserve to

[@commonwunder]

Labour should split in two... a divorce is necessary. In-party-debate is vital... but pure party infighting is just poison at the ballot box. There should be a Socialist party and the Labour party. A Socialist party that fights for radical political and economic change in the UK. And the Labour party, a political party that accepts Capitalism and capitulates to it. It works hand-in-hand with the Capitalists, through unions and advisory panels… which lessen the harshness of the entrepreneurial elites grasp on UK society.

[@remainertears]

A socialist party and a liberal party, Labour isn't a capitalist party

[@keithparker1346]

@@remainertears I would say Labour is pure establishment and pure capitalist

[@commonwunder]

​@@remainertears Of course Labour is a Capitalist party. It understands where the money that fills UK society comes from, and does everything it can to justify the corrupt system. At its very best, it can be considered a ‘Capitalist mediator’. it doesn't try to oppose Capitalism or entrepreneurial Capitalists. It tries to work with them. It is a very necessary part of ‘democratic Hellenistic cult’, that offers a thin veneer of respectability to the West’s all-out Capitalist dystopia. That’s why Unions are petty Capitalist organisations themselves. They fight for their members only… in the great marketplace of workers. In order to extract ‘more and better’ from their elites. They exploit the marketplace as a Capitalist exploits markets. ‘More and Better’ can only be won from the elites most important industries, nothing for the lowest ones. They’re just another part of the system… as is Labour. A true Socialist party would see Labour as a complete capitulation to greed. Labour greases the wheels of the elites dystopia. Smoothing over disharmony, to keep the wealth flowing.

[@remainertears]

@@keithparker1346 I agree the current Labour party is part of the establishment. Crony capitalism is probably more their preference.

[@andrewwalsh2755]

It has split... there's genuine Zionists Labour... and bogus Zionists Labour ( principally Labour MP's who toe the line to keep their jobs)... Lisa Nandy has (effectively) gone from shadow cabinet... Angela Rayner will also go, once the voters have been duped to vote Labour... and her promises will be dumped with her. True Labour has been purged, and is moving to the Green Party and others... which should have happened years ago.

[@janschkeuditz6065]

What is she rambling about. Business what business? The trade unions are in what is left of the big employers only . How long would these orats last if they were not sarcastic about labour and the unions . Best thing for Britain is for people to wake up and not vote for Sunak , Truss ,Starmer and the rest of the nut jobs . Starmer needs to loose his seat , vote for anyone other than bim it will not affect the general election same for the rest of the enforced right wing mps

[@evildude951]

Of course the new statesman would criticise labour for committing to improving workers rights and conditions

[@nicentoasty]

If we are not dragging stuff into to he overt pool n lef try, say goodbye t ok our country. Angela maybe can handle that

[@gsiicam]

why was Rachel censored at 8:53 ????

[@fang_xianfu]

Oh, give off it. A couple of weeks ago you were complaining that Labour wasn't promising people enough and they were being too centrist. Which is it?

[@afgor1088]

did you miss the bit about them watering down the "new deal" (really not even repealing new tory anti union legislation) already!?

[@TimesFM4532]

Tbf if I where labour id ban anyone saying radical. Just say common sense bold ideas

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Scrap HS2!

[@m.solo-manc]

levelling up a marketing teams 21st century terminology for what ....social democratic reforms. why not be positive and possible and use left terminology that is as relevant as it has always been

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

Good politics is never without risks, Doing nothing is in its self a mistake.

[@lliambunter]

Of course they will be watered down what else would you expect from labour

[@stuartmckay7350]

I thought it was a brilliant speech really moving...

[@alanive2001]

Smoosh, is your family from Armenia. No hidden agenda, just interested.

[@JustinTimeEnglishClip]

Absolutely nobody could make a greater mess of the UK than the Tories. Labour deserves a chance to fix it all. God help them!

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

2010....and all the money ran out. 13 MORE TORY YEARS please.

[@mikecook1537]

Are things really that bad? We're all alive. It's not like we are in China or Russia. Or even the USA where you're likely to get shot. What's so bad here?

[@pauplus]

Don’t worry. Labour supporters know it’s in the bag already. Neil Kinnock just shouted we’re alright on the telly!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

The Sheffield Rally had no impact on Labour's defeat in 1992. It was John Smith's shadow budget plan to raise taxes that the Tories exploited with lies and propaganda. It would have made the average family better off. The rally was praised at the time and made no difference. Neither funny or historically accurate.

[@nicks4934]

😂

[@gsiicam]

yes no need to bother to go out to vote, besids many dont even have photo ID any way

[@garyb455]

HaHa the great Welsh windbag

[@julianshepherd2038]

At least Kinnock had a personality. Starmer is as inspiring as cold sick.

[@geralldus]

How long has the concept of 'Leveling Up' been bandied around.... and nothing ever changes, never mind it's still a popular crowd pleaser .

[@jeremymanson1781]

Labour have to appoint a levelling-up shadow cabinet member because they are forced to 'shadow' the government.

[@mikecook1537]

What does levelling up actually mean practically? I've always been of the impression that if I've wanted a better job I've got one.

[@jeremymanson1781]

@@mikecook1537 When East and West Germany reunited the country took 20 years and spent billions and billions to try level up East Germany. In the UK levelling up means putting some hanging baskets of flowers up in the high streets of a few Northern towns.

[@mikecook1537]

@@jeremymanson1781 I still don't understand what it actually means practically

[@jeremymanson1781]

@@mikecook1537 London and parts of South East England are among the wealthiest places in the whole of Europe. The taxes collected there subsidise just about every other part of the UK. Many other parts of the UK are poorer than the average for the EU. This enormous wealth disparity is a big problem and there are no easy quick fix solutions.

[@gsiicam]

I like Angela Rayner , its unfortunate that the Labor party used her to beg the unions back, Kid Starver failed to raise all the required funds from big business, so now he needs the unions

[@nicks4934]

Yawn. How did anti EU corbyn do? 😂

[@julianshepherd2038]

​@@nicks4934he was attacked by his own party from day one. Wonder if Sir Keir Kinnock can do better.

[@jeremymanson1781]

Er Labour has been receiving more funds than the Conservatives. Funding is not a problem for Labour.

[@xaviertrujillo506]

@@nicks4934you mean the person that proposed a second referendum?

[@keithparker1346]

​@@jeremymanson1781becoming right wing is the problem

[@donttrip8282]

You want to believe it, but based on Starmer's track record thus far, it is very hard to believe. Many people will feel that way and it is entirely a situation of Starmer & co's own making. Lolz the lack of scrutiny of large donors and vested interests in a conversation attempting to focus on what Labour will or won't do, or the contradictions between supposedly being the party of workers (once upon a time), but really trying to be the party of business.

[@stillcrass]

Many thanks. Very helpful.

[@paulmessenger9836]

New deal for workers really mean new deal for the public sector

[@matthewharding7342]

Let's dump Starmer quickly after Labour win the next election and vote in Angela Rayner for prime minister!

[@MiPointIs]

I think Angela Rayner is a great example of how with the right attitude you can beat the odds and have a positive impact on society. Angela has met the issues in her life head on never stopping to indulge in self pity, she’s a true modern day hero 💯🏆

[@robertadams1054]

School Bike Sheds?

[@bucko6641]

What ! watering down...mite as well vote Conservative

[@malcolmstockbridge2569]

Isnt that weird...you knew how to spell Conservative but not might !

[@julianshepherd2038]

I only bother with Labour policies when they last 6 months. So I don't bother with Labour policies. Blair in flip flops.

[@djtomoy]

Tuc biscuits are yummy wid a bit of cheese and pickle

[@andyb.5268]

Title, typical tory rag response from New Statesman

[@rowancrew2934]

No it will not backfire.

[@seamuspadraigsanders431]

Let's be honest a teenage mother can teach us so much about the Economy, inflation, etc etc With no qualifications whatsoever. What could go wrong. You have a human rights lawyer propping her up, they have never blocked deportation or completely rinsed the public purse in dodgy court cases blocking rapist deportation.

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

I wonder if Starmer ever prevented a deportation....and the asylum seeker then went on to commit murder? Thirty or more such murders during the past twenty years.........most of the victims were white.

[@immers2410]

She’s a liability

[@geniemarie7977]

Disgusting eiman Rayner is

[@remainertears]

Rayner is the best recruiting sergeant for the Conservatives. With all the strikes and the cost to the UK of them, promising more rights and scrapping Zero hours, flexible working will cost jobs and cost votes.

[@jonb5493]

Parse error. Cannot grok. Bit of a mangle there. What do you mean?

[@davidhoward4715]

remainertears, you will never abandon your Tory billionaire overlords. Crawling on your belly has become a way of life.

[@afctaylor12]

Yep people at Burger King are going to furious about paying extra and blame labour for it. However min wage should be targeted as all it does is put small business out of work and raise margins of big cooperation. They swallow cost the small guy can't

[@remainertears]

Minimum wage should be scrapped as it ends up being the maximum wage//let the market decide what the value of work should pay, not the government.

[@jonb5493]

@@remainertears Yes, and let toothless beggars keel over in the street.

[@garyb455]

The last thing the UK needs is more powerful Unions I remember the 70s

[@julianshepherd2038]

But you don't remember the biggest increase I workers wages from 1950 to 1975.

[@julianshepherd2038]

Or the excellent growth of the economy in that period. Or the Equal Pay Act 1970. Or the health and safety Acts. Just the winter of discontent. I don't think you do remeber it. I think you know what you are told by the Tory media.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

The post war consensus delivered higher wages, the welfare state and fair taxation of the rich in order for wealth to be redistributed. Thatcher and Reagan smashed this as they took a neoliberal wrecking ball to society and economy. They won but at what price? Brexit, Trump and myriad other ills can all be traced back to their poisonous creed and con trick. Strong unions equal better pay and a more stable society. Unless the right is addicted to chaos, it is going to have to realise this one day and come to terms with the folly of Thatcherism by returning to One Nation Conservatism. Not likely but if they read the runes common sens might prevail.

[@Jay_Johnson]

@@julianshepherd2038 this. The only way to rebalance the economy in favour of workers over shareholders is Unions. Working people can only overcome the wealth of capitalists through solidarity.

[@garyb455]

@@julianshepherd2038 Yes I do the Shipworkers, Printworkers, Carworkers and Miners all got them just before they lost their jobs

[@clivelawrence8995]

Some strange facial movements by Rachel...

[@mickdowns4153]

I was listening hard and never heard a single backfire. Another misleading click bait headline. Levelling up is a tory phrase that Labour will surely kick into the wpb marked "Hypocrisy", and repalce it with a more systemic restructuring of several areas of government. Rayner is playing the same role as Prescott did in the Blair years - expliucit and genuine links to the labour movement and the working class., which the dominant right wing of the party will lever to keep those sectors on side.