Louise Haigh Emerges as Front-Runner for Deputy PM Role

Angela Rayner has resigned as the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister following a tax scandal, creating a significant vacancy within the government. Her departure has prompted Labour officials to consider potential successors, with Louise Haigh, the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley, emerging as a prominent candidate. While her experience in government is notable, her past fraud conviction raises questions about her suitability for the role.

Rayner stepped down last week after admitting to underpaying tax on an £800,000 flat in Hove. An ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, determined she breached the ministerial code by not seeking specialized tax advice. Despite this, he acknowledged that Rayner acted with integrity. In her resignation letter, she expressed regret for not obtaining the necessary guidance, stating, “I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements.”

In a personal note, Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Rayner for her years of service, acknowledging the difficulty of her decision.

Haigh, who served as Transport Secretary until November 2024, has been part of the Labour government since 2015. Her background includes roles as a shop steward with Unite and as a Metropolitan Police officer. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has publicly endorsed Haigh as a suitable successor to Rayner, advocating for a Labour party that is less factional and more inclusive. Burnham emphasized the need for Labour to shift away from a London-centric focus.

Although Haigh has not officially announced her candidacy, she is viewed by many insiders as a strong contender. Her history, however, is complicated by a fraud conviction from 2013 when she worked at Aviva. During that time, she reported her work-issued BlackBerry as stolen, only to later receive a new iPhone 5 that cost the company £1,249. Following a guilty plea in a London magistrates’ court, she was fined £100, ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs, and received a £15 victim surcharge, along with a 12-month conditional discharge.

Haigh has explained that she was the victim of a mugging and believed her phone had been lost. She stated, “Under the advice of my solicitor, I pleaded guilty – despite the fact this was a genuine mistake from which I did not make any gain.”

The resurfacing of her conviction led to her resignation from the cabinet in November 2024. At that time, she expressed disappointment at leaving under such circumstances, highlighting her pride in being the youngest female cabinet minister. She informed Starmer that she did not wish to be a distraction to the government.

Despite the controversy surrounding her past, friends and allies argue that Haigh has much to offer and should not be solely defined by her conviction. One supporter mentioned, “Louise is looking forward to continuing to serve the government from the backbenches … she has a lot more to give.”

The ongoing debate over her candidacy has drawn criticism from opposition figures. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party remarked, “It is clear she has failed to behave to the standards expected of an MP … The onus is now on Keir Starmer to explain this obvious failure of judgement to the British public.”

In light of the circumstances, Haigh’s endorsement by Burnham may indicate a level of confidence in her ability to navigate this challenging landscape. The contest for the deputy leadership is still open, but Haigh’s strong support suggests she remains a serious contender for the role.