London, September 5
United Kingdom's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting to mistakes in paying property tax, a move that has triggered new political trouble for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, CNN reported.
Rayner, who also stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party and housing minister, said in her resignation letter that the intense media spotlight had made her role "unbearable."
"I must also consider the significant toll that the ongoing pressure of the media is taking on my family. While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly," she wrote in her resignation letter.
https://x.com/AngelaRayner/status/1963924087681569251
Her exit has come as Labour, which won a landslide election in July 2024, faces growing pressure from Reform UK, a rising anti-immigration party that has been gaining support in opinion polls, as per CNN.
The controversy erupted after reports that Rayner failed to pay the correct property tax on an apartment she bought earlier this year in Hove, on England's southern coast.
She claimed the lapse was unintentional and due to poor legal advice. However, critics pointed to her record of attacking Conservative ministers in the past over similar scandals, with right-wing British tabloids calling her a "hypocrite", according to CNN.
Starmer initially defended his deputy, but his support weakened as public criticism mounted, especially with Britain facing a housing crisis and Labour considering new tax measures.
CNN noted that her departure marks a significant blow for Starmer's government, which is already battling public discontent and a surge in right-wing opposition.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Family should always be the priority. The media scrutiny on politicians' families is getting out of hand everywhere, including India. Public life shouldn't mean your entire family loses privacy. ðŸ‘
Hypocrisy knows no borders! She attacked others for tax issues and then does the same. Reminds me of some of our netas who preach water but drink wine. At least she had the decency to resign.
This shows how fragile new governments can be. Labour just won and already facing crisis. Similar to how our coalition governments sometimes struggle in India. Hope they stabilize for UK's sake.
Tax compliance should be non-negotiable for public servants. Whether in UK or India, leaders must lead by example. Her resignation sets the right precedent, though the timing hurts Labour badly.
Interesting to see right-wing parties gaining globally. Reform UK's rise parallels what we see in many countries. Political landscapes are shifting everywhere, including India.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.