Angela Rayner delivered a pointed and lively speech at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual dinner on Monday evening in Brighton. Addressing an audience of union leaders and government ministers, the deputy leader of the Labour Party used the event to blend humor with pointed political commentary.

Rayner began by noting her familiarity with the city, highlighting that Brighton is close to her second home. She then made a playful jab referencing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent rebranding of the town as “Manchester Southeast.” Turning to Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, she acknowledged his relief that the prime minister supports the same football club, referring to Mr. Sunak’s apparent avoidance of jokes about Everton, a nod to Nowak’s preferred team.

The bulk of Rayner’s speech targeted Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. Recalling an earlier occasion when Streeting had made light-hearted remarks about her and fellow Labour frontbencher Louise Haigh during an after-dinner speech, Rayner drew a humorous parallel between Streeting and a young, ambitious cardinal, who was tipped to rise to the top but ultimately fell short—a metaphor referencing Streeting’s unsuccessful attempt to trigger a Labour leadership challenge against party leader Sir Keir Starmer. Rayner quipped that Streeting “can’t count to 81,” referring to the number of MP signatures required to launch a leadership contest.

Despite the barbs, Rayner added a lighthearted note by mentioning that Streeting had recently moved into her former flat at Admiralty House. She concluded the reference by teasing, “Hope you’ve found the kipper, Wes,” alluding to a personal touch and recalling her time living there.

The event, held in the parliamentary recess, provided a forum for Labour figures and union officials to engage in candid exchanges ahead of forthcoming political battles, with Rayner’s speech reflecting tensions within the party as well as the broader political landscape.