Angela Rayner: Labour's working-class warrior who is once again a power player

Angela Rayner: Labour's working-class warrior who is once again a power player3 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoshua NevettPolitical reporterGetty ImagesFor the best part of a year, Angela Rayner's political ambitions have been stifled by an investigation into her tax affairs.She resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy leader of the Labour Party in September last year, after admitting she did not pay enough tax on the purchase of a new home.Marooned on the backbenches, Rayner could only watch on as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was buffeted by a leadership crisis - and governed without her.But the HMRC investigation that was seen as an obstacle to her return to top-flight politics has concluded, with Rayner saying the matter has been resolved.As Sir Keir fights for his job, it opens up more options to a high-profile MP who is seen as a potential contender for the leadership of the Labour Party.Her against-the-odds story, personality, and ability to connect with parts of the electorate that might be less accessible to others, gave her a special status in Sir Keir's cabinet and underscores why she would be a formidable opponent in any Labour leadership contest.Labour leadership crisis: Follow live updatesAt a glance: Starmer fights to stay on as prime ministerThe potential challengers to the PMHow would a Labour leadership contest work?Tough upbringingBorn Angela Bowen in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1980, Rayner grew up on one of the area's poorest council estates and from an early age, was caring for her mother, who had bipolar disorder and suffered from depression.Both Rayner's parents were unemployed and speaking in 2017, she remembered having to grow up very quickly."My mum was a really vulnerable person. I remember, at 10, my mum being suicidal and me sleeping like a dog on the end of her bed, just to try and stay next to her so she didn't do any harm to herself," Rayner said.She...