Angela Rayner has opened up about her first few months as Deputy Prime Minister, from drinks gaffes at Downing Street to her unlikely friendship with King Charles II
Ever since assuming office in July last year, Angela Rayner has seen some big life changes.
Having previously rented a “little flat” as her London base, the Deputy Prime Minister now resides at the grand Admirality House, the former home of Winston Churchill.
Known for being outspoken, the 44-year-old has kept a slightly more low-key profile in recent months, with intense scrutiny over her family life having taken a toll ahead of Labour’s election victory.
Now, Rayner has opened up about her new life as a Deputy PM, from her “all very Ange” moments to the “kinder” changes she’d like to see.
Friendship with King Charles
They comes from wildly different backgrounds, but it’s understood Rayner gets along like a house on fire with Kng Charles II, who she says is “incredibly easy to get along with”. Earlier this month, Rayner and PM Keir Starmer travelled down to Cornwall for a tour of the King’s environmentally friendly housing project, Nansledan, and the trio were seen chuckling away as they went about their official business.
In her recent interview with The Times, Rayner was asked about one photograph in which King Charles appears to be feigning shock in a comical response to some cheeky joke. However, she declined to elaborate on what was said, telling the publication: “I’m not telling you. That’s got to be private. But he’s got a really good sense of humour. I know it sounds strange because he is the King and comes from a really different background from me, but he’s incredibly easy to get along with. Sometimes you have to work a bit harder for a conversation, but that’s never been the case with me and him.”
Whiskey gaffe
During this same interview, Rayner opened up about a disastrous evening of drinks at Sir Keir’s Downing Street flat. The PM nipped out of the room for a few minutes, during which time Rayner managed to accidentally open a bottle of whiskey gifted to him by a friend who’d died four years ago. Sir Keir had never meant to open it, leaving Rayner “mortified”.
However, the Labour leader did thankfully see the funny side and ultimately believed his late friend would have approved of her opening the sentimental bottle.
Rayner also spoke about how she and Sir Keir now have a stronger bond, as they both know how isolating it can feel at the top.
Cruel trolls
Unfortunately, Rayner has had to deal with some vile insults during her time in office – including class-based comments from online trolls, who brand her ‘thick’ on account of her working-class roots.
Rayner said: “Class is a problem still. Not just in the civil service — I have got some fantastic ones — but class is still there. My experience since being elected has only reinforced that. No matter how much I achieve or how many policies I announce, people still say I’m thick — ‘Look at the state of her’ — or ask how dare I go to Glyndebourne.”
Reflecting on what needs to change, she added: “I think we have to be kinder to each other. If you wouldn’t say something to somebody’s face, I would suggest don’t put it on social media or in an email.”
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