Whatever happened to the ‘Office of Deputy PM’?

Poor old Angela Rayner. It seems she is not too happy about reports that she is being ‘frozen out’ of decision-making in the new government, amid claims that she is the victim of a media ‘briefing war.’ Various reports have appeared suggesting that she has lost control of Labour’s employee rights’ package to the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and planning reform to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Use of the grace-and-favour residence of Dorneywood has also been given to Reeves, unlike in the days of John Prescott. Bad luck improving your croquet skills Ange.

It’s a far cry from, er, March when allies of Rayner were busy briefing about ‘plans to establish a powerful new department at the core of UK government to shore up her position’. Rayner was reported by Bloomberg to be ‘seeking to re-establish an Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’ similar to that enjoyed by Prescott and Nick Clegg.