Angela Rayner, plain-speaking scourge of the Tories, made herself vulnerable

Angela Rayner: ‘Parliament is school to me, that’s where you need to do your revision and your homework, whereas being on the road for me is like playtime.’ Photograph: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images

When Nadhim Zahawi’s fate was hanging in the balance after a scandal over unpaid taxes, Angela Rayner was one of the first to pile on the political pressure.

“Nadhim Zahawi’s story about his tax affairs doesn’t add up,” she said at the time. “After months of denials, the truth emerges. His position is untenable. Rishi Sunak must dismiss him from his cabinet.”