Angela Rayner 'frozen out' as Starmer's top aide ignores ally's calls

Rayner is regarded by many as the darling of the Labour left, having enthusiastically served under Jeremy Corbyn and romped to victory in her deputy leadership contest in 2020.

A recent Savanta survey revealed Rayner is the most popular choice among Labour voters to one day succeed Starmer.

Rayner's victory against Rosena Allin-Khan also consolidates her position as a big beast, given she received twice as many votes as the Tooting MP in the final round.

However, Rayner's allies have become increasingly concerned about her authority being gradually and subtly undermined.

The 44-year-old, who stood in for Starmer in seven-way leadership debates ahead of July 4, was leading Labour's flagship New Deal for Working People policy why shadowing Michael Gove.

The plan promises to boost wages and give workers additional rights.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is now taking on the policy, pushing Rayner to the sidelines.

A Labour source told The Telegraph: "This probably means that the New Deal will get killed off as Jonny Reynolds will want to do what is best for business, not what is best for the unions."

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The planning brief could also be taken from Rayner and handed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, insiders have warned.

A Rayner ally claimed: "Angela has been frozen out of everything."

Rayner's Shadow Housing colleagues - Mike Amesbury, Paula Barker and Flo Eshalomi - were also removed from post after Labour won the 2024 General Election.

Matt Pennycook and Jim McMahon were separately shifted off to serve in other departments.

Despite the changes in personnel, Rayner is reportedly happy with her team of junior ministers and believes she will continue to work closely on the New Deal.

However, other leading Labour MPs appear to have had more of an opportunity to leave their mark in the first few days of the new Labour Government.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting declared the NHS is "broken", later holding talks with the British Medical Association.

Reeves delivered her maiden speech as Chancellor in the Churchill Room and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is starting to implement his ban on North Sea Oil.

A particular problem facing Rayner comes from her chief of staff Nick Parrott finding it difficult to get in touch with Starmer's top aide Sue Gray.

Labour has been restructuring its campaign headquarters following last week's general election victory.

The alterations were delayed after Labour's general-secretary David Evans was not given the green light from Gray.

"He is blowing up because Sue Gray isn’t answering the phone to him," a source said.

However, some Labour sources do not believe the restructure is having a particularly profound impact on morale.

Another insider added: “The restructure of the Downing Street operation has moved at pace.

"It would not be correct to say that this has caused frustration for senior personnel in the party.”