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Angela Rayner

An in-depth look at the life and career of the deputy leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner MP, on a week in which she weathered a political storm.

It's been an eventful few weeks for the Labour Party - especially for its deputy leader, Angela Rayner MP. Over the course of a topsy-turvy weekend, leaked plans to sack her from her role as party chair and national campaigns coordinator triggered an outcry, which, in turn, led Keir Starmer to instead offer a major promotion.

Her back-story is, however, unusual for one who has risen so high, so quickly in British politics. Coming from an impoverished background, and leaving school at 16 with no qualifications and a baby on the way, she soon blazed a trail as a formidable union rep with Unison in the North West before being elected as an MP in 2015.

By speaking to close personal friends, well-known public figures and commons commentators, Mark Coles reveals the character, underlying motivations - and even the unexpected musical tastes - of the woman who many believe could be the first ever female leader of the Labour Party.

Presenter: Mark Coles
Researcher: Stefania Okereke
Studio manager: Neil Churchill
Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples
Producer: Paul Connolly
Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 May 2021 17:40

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 May 2021 19:00
  • Sun 16 May 2021 05:45
  • Sun 16 May 2021 17:40

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