Rayner appointed communities secretary in Starmer reshuffle

Angela Rayner has replaced Lisa Nandy in the shadow communities role – a post that involves a number of issues directly impacting on the community.

The move, which had been predicted, was confirmed on Monday as part of Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Rayner, now the shadow secretary for levelling up, housing and communities secretary, will also say as shadow deputy prime minister.

Nandy, the Jewish Labour Movement’s first choice to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader three years ago, has been handed the international development brief.

As shadow communities secretary, Rayner will now handle Labour’s response to the government’s controversial anti-BDS legislation.

She will also meet regularly with the main communal organisations to discuss other issues coming up.

While doing her previous role Nandy had built up good relations with most communal groups, showing a good understanding of the issues around antisemitism, and as an outspoken critic of Corbyn.

Rayner had been Corbyn’s deputy, and had received some criticism for failing to speak out strongly enough under his leadership.

But in a succession of subsequent meetings, including at a JLM conference in November 2020 Rayner was more outspoken on the issue.

She once said of antisemitic members:” If I have to suspend thousands and thousands of members, we will do that.

“Because we cannot and we will not accept an injury to one, because an injury to one is an injury to all. That’s what we say in our movement.”

In April 2022, she appeared alongside Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Sajid Javid, taking part in the Jewish News backed challah bake off.

After being moved to her new role a source close to Nandy said she was a “team player” who had been proud of what she had achieved in the Levelling Up role.

Several communal figures told Jewish News that would “wait” before making judgement on Rayner’s move to the communities role.

The government’s long-promised anti-BDS bill reaches committee stage this week.

The list of witnesses scheduled to give evidence includes representatives from the Board of Deputies, Yachad, the Jewish Leadership Council and Conservative Friends of Israel.

Others expected to be quizzed include the controversial journalist Melanie Phillips and the KC Richard Hermer.

Under Nandy’s watch, Labour had attempted to take a nuanced position on the BDS bill, confirming their opposition to Israel boycotts, but pointing out flaws in Michael Gove’s bill.

Some Westminster insiders believe the bill could be quietly shelved in committee stage, with bigger issues as the general election approaches taking precedence.

Following the reshuffle Starmer said:”“Britain deserves a government that wakes up every morning absolutely determined to take on the challenges we face and to improve the lives of hard-working people. Today shows that’s what the British people will get with Labour.

“I’m really pleased that having put in the hard yards to change the Labour Party, we now have such a strong team on the pitch that is ready to deliver the change our country desperately needs.

“My Shadow Cabinet and I will spend every day until the General Election showing that there is an alternative and that Britain can get its future back.”