The chamber had been almost empty at the start of the ministerial statement on Heathrow airport. But by the end, the Labour benches were almost full. Though this was nothing to do with the pull of the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander. It was Angela Rayner who was the main attraction.
The former housing secretary hasn’t been heard from since her resignation in early September. Not in the Commons, nor in Liverpool for the party conference. Better late than never, she was now back to make a personal statement. The leaving speech that would herald her return. She had been missed.
