Angela Rayner Faces Questions After 2022 Tweet Disappears Amid Reports of Leadership Fundraising


Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is facing renewed political scrutiny after a social media post she published in 2022, criticising the way Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister without a general election, was removed from her public account amid growing speculation about internal tensions within the Labour Party.
The deleted post, which has continued to circulate in screenshots online, criticised the idea of a prime minister taking office without a direct public mandate. Its reappearance has prompted political opponents to accuse Rayner of inconsistency, as reports emerge suggesting that senior figures close to her are exploring options to strengthen her position inside the party.
Several media outlets have reported that supporters of the Deputy Prime Minister are seeking to build a fundraising operation that could raise as much as £1 million, which some insiders describe as a long-term organisational and campaigning fund. The reports have fuelled claims that Rayner could be preparing for a future leadership contest should Labour’s internal divisions deepen.

Sources close to Rayner have not confirmed any leadership challenge and have insisted that she remains focused on her current role in government. They argue that internal fundraising and organisational support are common within major political parties and do not automatically indicate an intention to launch a leadership bid.
However, the timing of the deleted post has attracted attention at Westminster. Opposition figures from the Conservative Party and Reform have questioned why the message was removed and have used the incident to highlight what they describe as contradictions in Labour’s recent political messaging.

Rayner has already faced sustained political pressure in recent months over separate controversies related to personal and financial matters, which she has previously said were handled appropriately. The latest episode adds to the sense of unease inside Labour as the party continues to manage policy disputes and public criticism over its leadership direction.
Downing Street sources said there is no change in the government’s leadership position and dismissed suggestions of an imminent challenge to Sir Keir Starmer. They stressed that both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are working together on the government’s legislative and economic priorities.
Nevertheless, the incident has intensified speculation about Labour’s internal dynamics and the level of confidence among senior figures as the party seeks to maintain unity during a politically demanding period.