I've now got the chance to champion views of my constituents ...and I am humbled by it

ANGELA Rayner says she is focused on improving people's lives - and called on her Labour colleagues to do the same.

- EXCLUSIVE BY ALEXANDER BROWN Assistant Political Editor

In her first interview since stepping down as Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Rayner said she is enjoying the chance to be more engaged with the constituents who elected her.

And she condemned the infighting which rocked the Labour Party this week, calling it "arrogant tittle-tattle" at a time when the country needs a government that works for them.

Speaking during a visit to the Hurst Hall Care Centre in her constituency in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, she said: "I'm really humbled and I always have been, the people of Ashton-under-Lyne have always supported me.

"The 10 years that I've been in government I've had quite a number of front bench positions, and I've always brought it back to the people that I was there to represent and having this opportunity now, to be in the constituency and to champion those views, is something I'm humbled to do and I'm looking forward to the challenge."