Wes Streeting has called for the return of Angela Rayner after she quit in a tax row. The Health Secretary heaped praise on the former deputy prime minister in his speech to Labour’s conference as he said “we want her back”.
Mr Streeting was speaking about the £500 million investment for the first ever “fair pay agreement” for care workers. He told the gathering in Liverpool: “There’s someone else who’s made a real difference too, who understands the struggle care workers face, because she was one.
“She brought that experience to the Cabinet table as the care worker who became our country’s deputy prime minister.
“Angela Rayner, this achievement is yours. Thank you. And we want her back as well.”
He added: “We’ll definitely make sure she sees that. We need her back.”
Ms Rayner quit as deputy PM, housing secretary and Labour deputy leader earlier this month following a row over her tax affairs.
Mr Streeting’s comments come after new Housing Secretary Steve Reed also paid tribute to his predecessor on Sunday.
In his speech, Mr Reed said: “When I picked up the phone to the Prime Minister three weeks ago, he offered me my dream job but not under the circumstances I would have wanted.
“So can I begin by thanking my good friend Angela Rayner for all she has done for our party and our Government over so many years – for workers’ rights, for local government, for building council homes.
“Angela, you are a true working-class hero.”
