Rayner's rage over Tories’ tax affairs boomerangs back

ANGELA Rayner twisted and turned all week desperately trying to cling on to her job, but it could only ever have ended with her sacking. When you put yourself on the moral high ground, you are heading for an almighty fall.

- Sam Lister Associate Editor

But it has been astonishing to watch her allies beg for mercy for their pal because she is working class. The ex-deputy prime minister is “authentic” and understands ordinary people, we are told. Keir Starmer defended her in the Commons by saying he was proud to sit alongside someone who can “come from a working-class background to be deputy prime minister of this country”.

Rayner’s “complicated” personal circumstances meant her taxes were too complicated for her to understand. The only reason her tax arrangements are being examined is snobbery, apparently, not the fact she was the housing secretary and an enthusiast for higher taxes.

It’s a great get out of jail card for anyone who is working class and gets in a pickle over their taxes: “Sorry, your honour, I’m working class. I'm only in the dock because of snobbery.”

‘Tories appearing in the media have been accused of attacking her because she is a northern, working-class woman and have had to point out they are working class, too.