Angela Rayner Faces Scrutiny Over Tax Arrangements and Voter Registrations

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, is facing significant questions about her tax arrangements after it was revealed that she has registered to vote in person at her newly acquired second home. While she has postal votes linked to her constituency home in Ashton-under-Lyne and her Westminster residence, she is also registered to participate in voting in Hove, where she recently purchased an £800,000 apartment. This situation casts doubt on her assertion that her Ashton-under-Lyne property is her main residence, a claim that enables her to avoid a £2,000 council tax bill on her ministerial flat in London.

The disclosure concerning her voting registrations adds to the complexity of Rayner's housing situation, which has been the subject of heightened scrutiny ever since she was disclosed to have saved £40,000 in stamp duty on her Hove flat. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized her actions, arguing that her contradictory claims regarding her living situation suggest a pattern of tax avoidance. He pointed out that it would be unreasonable for a minister responsible for electoral integrity to hold three votes in the upcoming May elections, as well as to evade council tax obligations while advocating for higher taxes on families.

Tameside, Westminster, and Hove, raising concerns about the accuracy of her residence claims. While she maintains that her primary residence is in Ashton-under-Lyne to avoid paying council tax on her London flat, local reports indicate that she is rarely seen at her northern home.

In addition to these electoral irregularities, she recently attracted attention for reportedly using a wealth protection service. Compounding the scrutiny, allegations emerged regarding her partner's ties to a firm that had previously received government funds, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. Critics, including Richard Tice of Reform UK, have suggested that purchasing her new property in Hove represents a contingency plan for Rayner in case she loses her seat in upcoming elections. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, however, defended Rayner, arguing that she deserves privacy regarding her tax matters and asserting that Rayner has complied with all requisite rules and regulations.