Rayner defends right of activists to campaign in US elections – but avoids praising those wanting to defeat Trump
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks if Rayner will join him in applauding “the brave Labour staff members’” who have gone to the US to campaign against Donald Trump.
Rayner says there are people from all parties who cross the Atlantic to campaign in their own time, with their own money.
Key events
PMQs – snap verdict
It is nice to see politicians from opposing parties being nice about each other for a change, but maybe Angela Rayner and Oliver Dowden were taking the bonhomie just a little too far. John Crace, who as the Guardian’s sketch writer is paid to take the mick, sounds a bit discombulated by it all.
This PMQs between Angela Rayner and Oliver Dowden was almost tender #pmqs
— John Crace (@JohnJCrace) October 23, 2024
This PMQs between Angela Rayner and Oliver Dowden was almost tender
And Tom Harwood from GB News was pitched into ‘get a room’ mode watching.
This flirting is getting out of hand.
They were set off by this exchange in particular.
Dowden, a diehard monarchist (even by Conservative party standards), ended his questions sucking up to the king, but he started with the budget, and the charge that raising employers’ national insurance (something Rachel Reeves has not ruled out) would clobber small business owners. On another day, he might have made some progress with this. But Dowden is expecting to be out of the shadow cabinet by the end of next week, and Rayner’s not chancellor or PM, and somehow it felt that he was not really trying. And, even if he had been, Rayner’s opening joke about Dowden’s pushing for an early election – “if his own side hasn’t offered him a peerage, I certainly will” – was so good it would have knocked him off course anyway.
Otherwise, it was all rather unremarkable. The best question came from the SNP’s Stephen Flynn. (See 12.17pm.) And the worst questions? Hard to say, but it was not just King Charles getting the sycophancy treatment, and the number of ‘Isn’t the government brilliant?’ questions asked by Labour MPs seemed a bit higher than usual. It is hard to know if that is just an impression, or whether No 10 is tightening up on message discipline under the new Morgan McSweeney regime.
John Hayes (Con) says onshore windfarms are a threat to farmland in his Lincolnshire constituency. He says energy security should not compromise food security.
Rayner says the government is committed to energy security.
Kim Johnson (Lab) asks about a hospice threatened with closure in her constituency. Does Rayner agree they should get statutory funding, not just charity funding?
Rayner says the government is aware of the importance of hospices. She promises a ministerial meeting on this.
Rachel Blake (Lab) asks if Rayner agrees that the renters’ rights bill will transform opportunities for renters.
Rayner does agree with that.
James MacCleary (Lib Dem) asks what the government is doing to cut Brexit red tape for businesses.
Rayner says the government is turning the page on its relationship with Europe. It wants to tear down unnecessary barriers to trade. But that won’t involve rejoining the single market or customs union, she says.
Anna Dixon (Lab) says the employment rights bill will help care workers.
Rayner says, as a former care worker, she will always champion care workers. They will get a fair pay agreement that will give them the recognition they deserve, she says.
Asked about support for farmers affected by flooding, Rayner says the government inherited a flood defence system that was inadequate.
Meg Hillier (Lab) asks if Rayner will take a personal interest in ensuring that unsafe cladding gets removed from buildings more quickly.
Rayner says she is taking an interest in this. She will ensure action is taken, she says.
Mike Tapp (Lab) says two more people have died trying to cross the Channel in a small boat. What is the government doing to stop these crossings?
Rayner says the government has set up Border Security Command to break up the gangs behind these crossings.
Carolyn Harris (Lab) asks if Rayner will join her in welcoming the appointment of Mariella Frostrup as a menopause employment adviser.
Rayner does welcome this, and says the government wants to help conditions for menopausal women.
Rayner says the humanitarian situation in Northern Gaza is “dire”. She says much more aid needs to get in. The government has concluded that arms sent to Israel could contravene humanitarian obligations in Gaza, she says.
Rayner defends right of activists to campaign in US elections – but avoids praising those wanting to defeat Trump
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks if Rayner will join him in applauding “the brave Labour staff members’” who have gone to the US to campaign against Donald Trump.
Rayner says there are people from all parties who cross the Atlantic to campaign in their own time, with their own money.
Daisy Cooper, the deputy Lib Dem leader, asks if the government will consider her party’s idea for a winter taskforce for the NHS to ensure that more care places are available for people leaving hospital.
Rayner says the government does want to improve care, and get the NHS back on its feet.
Cooper says the Lib Dems will work with the government as a “constructive opposition”. But 18,000 small care providers would be affected if employers’ national insurance goes up.
Rayner says she will not speculate on the budget. But it will a budget to rebuild Britain, she says.
Rachael Maskell (Lab) asks if the government will set up a commission to consider how everyone who needs it can get proper end-of-life palliative care.
Rayner says, from her time as a carer, she knows how important this is. She says she will arrange a meeting with a minister for Maskell about this.
