Rayner Mocks Streeting's Failed Leadership Bid at TUC Dinner

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner recently quipped about Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's unsuccessful attempt to challenge party leadership earlier this year. Rayner's remarks came during an after-dinner speech at the annual Trade Unions Congress (TUC) dinner in Brighton.

Streeting had previously resigned from the Cabinet and called for a leadership change, though he ultimately endorsed Andy Burnham after speculation suggested he lacked sufficient support. Rayner herself had been rumored to be considering a leadership run after being cleared of wrongdoing by HMRC, but she also ultimately backed Burnham.

During her speech, Rayner recalled a previous occasion when Streeting had made jokes about her and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh. "Last time [Mr Streeting] gave an after-dinner speech he had a few jokes about us both," Rayner stated. "I remember it well. I'd just come back from meeting the pope. I was also introduced to a young ambitious cardinal tipped for the top — or the Vatican's Wes Streeting as they called him. He didn't get the votes either."

She further joked that Haigh had advised the Prime Minister to appoint Streeting as Defence Secretary because "he's the one Cabinet member we know can't organize a coup." Rayner also alluded to Streeting's failure to secure the required 81 supporting MPs for a leadership bid, saying, "He wanted education of course. But unfortunately he can't count to 81."

A spokesperson for Streeting, who was in attendance, responded humorously to the remarks, telling Politico, "Contrary to the rumours, Wes travelled home safely in a car rather than an ambulance, despite being murdered by Angela Rayner in her speech."

Rayner's jests were seen as a form of revenge for comments Streeting made at The Spectator magazine's Parliamentarian of the Year awards in December 2024. At that event, Streeting joked that Pat McFadden was the real deputy prime minister, despite Rayner holding the role at the time. He also made a remark referencing Haigh's conviction for fraud over a missing work phone, saying, "I love Louise. And I'm going to call her tomorrow on one of her phones."