Rayner is Labour's most influential figure - for now

As Keir Starmer gathered his top ministers for a special away day in Chequers for a team-building reset on Friday, one figure arrived in a much more powerful position than she was in just two weeks ago.

- DAVID MADDOX

It is now widely recognised by Labour MPs, across the different wings of the party, that deputy prime minister Angela Rayner’s influence in this government is greater than almost anybody else’s.

Certainly more than the wounded chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been beset by economic woes, and even more than health secretary Wes Streeting who, like Rayner, has been tipped as a future contender for the leadership.

She was, though, completely unprepared for the shot fired by the Unite union, after its general secretary announced it had suspended her membership for failing to resolve the Birmingham refuse collectors’ dispute.

But while a trade union that looks set to peel off and back Jeremy Corbyn’s new party gave her a headache, Rayner nevertheless is enjoying a surge in influence - for now.

Welfare rebellion

The biggest reason for her rise is the result of the welfare rebellion just over a week ago.

As one party whip put it: “There’s nobody more powerful in the government than Angela at the moment. She was the one who brokered the deal with Labour rebels, she was the one who talked people off the ledge from voting against the government.”

Another ally pointed out that she did not even want the disability cuts and had already sent a leaked memo to Reeves suggesting wealth taxes instead of austerity.

Now, after last Wednesday’s PMQs, it seems like the government has no option but to raise taxes.