Angela Rayner has insisted “I am not ashamed” after it was revealed she made a £48,500 profit on an ex-council house using a right-to-buy scheme implemented by the late Margaret Thatcher.
The Labour deputy leader was accused of “pulling the ladder up” to make it harder for social housing tenants to benefit in the same way she has after saying she wants to reform it. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, this morning (February 25), she hit back at hypocrisy claims and explained her stance.
She said: “Being able to buy my council house back in 2007 was a proud moment for me. I worked hard, saved and bought it by the book. I’m not ashamed – but I am angry that the Tories have since put the dream of a secure home out of reach for so many others.
“That’s why a Labour Government will deliver the biggest boost to affordable, social and council housing for a generation. I want others to have the opportunity for a secure home that I had.
“It’s clear that Lord Ashcroft and his friends not only take an unhealthy interest in my family – but want to kick down at people like me who graft hard in tough circumstances to get on in life. I won’t let them.”
Ms Rayner’s own personal house-buying circumstances have been thrust into the spotlight as she has spoken out against those who get “loads and loads of discount” when buying houses under the Government’s Right-to-Buy policy.
