Rayner gets standing ovation as gag-filled speech has conference in stitches

08 October 2023 , 13:12

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Rayner gets standing ovation as gag-filled speech has conference in stitches

Angela Rayner had the Labour conference audience in stitches as she delivered a gag-filled speech to kick off the four-day event in Liverpool.

Labour's Deputy Leader tore apart the Tories as she celebrated that a Labour government “took me from a council estate to the parliamentary estate… I’ve got your back. Labour is on your side”. She pledged to boost employment rights, in what was later branded the "biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation", as well as to build new social and affordable homes.

Speaking to a packed room, Ms Rayner commanded rapturous laughter and applause throughout her speech, with a standing ovation at the end. It marked a stark difference to the Tory Party conference where Cabinet ministers delivered their speeches to empty seats.

Reeling off examples of the "chaotic face of today's Tory Party", she first referred to former PM Liz Truss, who was outlasted by the Daily Star's iceberg lettuce, and Nadhim Zahawi, who was sacked as Tory Chairman after a "serious breach" of the ministerial code amid a major row over his tax affairs while he was Chancellor last year.

Angela Rayner (AFP via Getty Images)

"The leader who lost to a lettuce, the Chancellor who forgot his own tax returns, and forgot to declare it too," Ms Rayner said. "Gavin Willamson, forced to resign because he turned out to be a bully - who knew? Dominic Raab also forced to resign as a bully - I think everyone knew that one, except for the Prime Minister apparently. And then the Home Secretary, sacked as a threat to national security. The same Home Secretary re-appointed next week - I think they call that time served. Apparently, she believes in the rehabilitation of offenders after all."

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As the room erupted into laughter, the Shadow Housing Secretary joked that the Government had "quite literally" gone off the rails with its plans to scrap HS2. And referring to Rishi Sunak failing to hand over his WhatsApps to the Covid Inquiry, she went on: "Now we have the Prime Minister refusing to hand over his WhatsApp messages. I assume Jacob Rees-Mogg has also refused to hand over his carrier pigeon.

"And of course at their conference, Liz Truss was back. But one thing did become clear last week, we all know he's just Ken in her Barbie world. And what a contrast we are to the Tories, with Keir at the helm, Labour's Shadow Cabinet is hungry for change."

Ms Rayner also criticised the PM for not mentioning "housing" once in his speech. "No doubt that’s because his housing policy is the same as his new smoking policy – increase the price year on year, so eventually no one can buy," she said, referencing the PM's policy to increase the legal age of smoking each year.

Angela Rayner's speech marked a stark difference to at the Tory Party conference, where Cabinet ministers including Grant Shapps (above) delivered their speeches to empty seats

She claimed the Conservatives "look down on people living in social housing", adding: "Well, I say: Let's stare right back, and never be ashamed." She said Labour will strengthen rental reforms, ban no-fault evictions, and give first-time buyers "first dibs" on new developments in their communities, "with a comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme for those who don't have access to the bank of mum and dad". She added: "We'll end the medieval leasehold system, with root and branch reforms. We will deliver planning reform to build the houses the next generation so desperately needs."

Her speech also focused on Labour's plans to bolster workers' rights within 100 days of taking office. Media reports following Labour's national policy forum this year had suggested the plans had been weakened. But Ms Rayner said: "Conference, I've heard some rumours that we'll be watering down our New Deal For Working People. Be in no doubt - not with Keir and I at the helm.

"We'll ban zero-hour contracts, and fire-and-rehire, and give workers basic rights from day one. We'll go further and faster in closing the gender pay gap, make work more family-friendly, and tackle sexual harassment. And we won't stop there. We'll ensure that unions can stand up for their members. We will boost collective bargaining, to improve workers' pay, terms and conditions." She later added: "But it can only be completed with Labour in power - and as deputy prime minister, I will personally table the legislation implementing our New Deal, within 100 days of taking office."

Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak said Labour's New Deal For Working People was the "biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation". He added: "We need employment standards fit for the 21st century so that everyone knows they'll be treated fairly at work with decent pay and conditions. Good employers should welcome these plans. The New Deal will help create more productive workplaces and stop rogue bosses from undercutting the best."

Sophie Huskisson