The political heat is on as allies of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner hit back hard at James Cleverly, accusing him of “some brass neck” after he criticised her over council tax on a newly purchased seaside flat.
Rayner bought a property in Hove, East Sussex, earlier this year for over £700,000, sparking questions about her council tax payments. But sources close to Rayner say the attacks from the shadow housing secretary are nothing more than political opportunism aimed at scoring cheap points.
Labour insiders argue that the focus on Rayner’s personal finances is a distraction from real issues and accuse Cleverly of picking on her unfairly. The deputy prime minister’s camp is standing firm, insisting that the criticism is unwarranted and politically motivated.
This latest clash adds another layer of tension between the two parties as the political spotlight turns on personal conduct and accountability ahead of upcoming elections.
Will Cleverly’s council tax criticisms backfire, or will they stick as a serious challenge to Rayner’s credibility? The battle lines are clearly drawn.
