Resignation of British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner After Tax Scandal Shakes Starmer's Government

Angela Rayner, the British Deputy Prime Minister, submitted her resignation from her position today, Friday, after admitting to making a mistake regarding the non-payment of property tax due on a new home, in a move described as a severe blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The resignation came after an independent investigation concluded that Rayner violated ministerial rules after ignoring legal warnings urging her to seek specialized tax advice regarding her complex financial situation. Starmer expressed his deep sadness at the loss of a "trustworthy colleague and true friend," affirming that the decision was painful but correct.

Rayner, who also held the position of Minister for Housing and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, stated in her announcement that she takes full responsibility for the mistake, noting that the impact of the crisis on her family prompted her to make the decision to step down.

Rayner is the eighth figure to leave Starmer's government, and the most politically influential, especially as she played a pivotal role in balancing the party's left and center wings, and was more popular than the party leader himself.

Following the resignation, the BBC announced that Foreign Secretary David Lammy will replace her as Deputy Prime Minister, while Yvette Cooper will take over the Foreign Ministry in her stead.

These developments come at a sensitive time for the Labour Party, which is facing a decline in opinion polls behind the populist Reform Party led by Nigel Farage, amid criticisms regarding government spending and transparency.