Angela Rayner has hit back at those who have critiqued her accent and grammar following recent appearances in the media.
The deputy leader of the Labour Party – who was born, raised, and educated in the Greater Manchester borough of Stockport – first addressed MPs in the House of Commons yesterday, before making a number of media appearances, both last night and this morning, to address the growing national concerns over the garden party hosed at 10 Downing Street on 20 May 2020, and whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in attendance.
Ms Rayner told MPs in the House of Commons yesterday that she was disappointed that Mr Johnson was not there in person to respond to the claims, but said that “his absence speaks volumes, as do his smirks on the media”.
“He can run, but he can’t hide,” she added.
Following her Commons address and appearances on BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, and Good Morning Britain, Ms Rayner said she has received critiques of her Greater Manchester accent and grammar, and so she took to Twitter to address it.
Hitting back at her critics in a now-viral tweet this morning, the deputy Labour leader wrote: “I wasn’t Eton educated, but growing up in Stockport I was taught integrity, honesty and decency.
“Doesn’t mater how you say it. Boris Johnson is unfit to lead.”
I've been on the media this morning so my accent and grammar are being critiqued.
I wasn't Eton educated, but growing up in Stockport I was taught integrity, honesty and decency.
Doesn't mater how you say it. Boris Johnson is unfit to lead.
The tweet has gone on to amass thousands of likes, retweets, and comments from people showing their support for the Aston-under-Lyne MP.
Ms Rayner’s comments came before this afternoon’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
They, of course, also come after on Monday, ITV published a leaked email from Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, which appeared to invite 100 staff to “socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden” at a time when lockdown rules in England banned large outdoor gatherings from taking place.
The invitation encouraged people to “make the most of the lovely weather” after what had been an “incredibly busy period”.
Although it is still currently unconfirmed, witnesses have told media outlets – including the BBC – that the Prime Minister and his wife Carrie were among the roughly 30 people who attended the drinks party that evening.
EXCL: Email obtained by @itvnews proves over 100 staff were invited to drinks party in No 10 garden at height of lockdown to “make the most of the lovely weather”.
The Prime Minister has today confirmed his attendance at the event and has publicly apologised to MPs during PMQs, saying that he “takes responsibility” for the gathering.
Yet he said he believed it was “a work event”, and in hindsight, should have sent everyone back inside.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he feels the Prime Minister’s apology is “worthless”, and described his excuse as “ridiculous” and “insulting” to the British public who have had to make so many sacrifices over the last two years.
Mr Johnson said that he knows people up and down the country “made huge sacrifices” and he understands “the anger and the rage they feel”.
But Starmer then questioned whether the Prime Minister would “do the decent thing” and resign.
At present, an inquiry being lead by senior civil servant Sue Gray is under way into the drinks party and the number of other gatherings that were said to have taken place on government premises during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020.
Featured Image – Parliament TV
News
UK’s ‘most dangerous’ road near Greater Manchester to undergo £7.6m safety improvements
Emily Sergeant
Snake Pass, what is known as the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ road, has received £7.6 million in funding to improve its safety.
The infamous road connecting Manchester and Sheffield – which is said to be used by more than 30,000 vehicles each week – is the highest road in Derbyshire, and is known for including a series of steep bends, twists, and blind junctions, hence being given the nickname of the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ route.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £7.6 million from its ‘Safer Roads Fund’ to improve safety along the 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield.
Snake Pass is also, sadly, known for its frequent collisions data – with records indicating that, between 2018 and 2023, there were five fatalities, 62 ‘serious;, and 102 slight collision casualties.
Historical records also suggest that landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass for decades, with road closures dating back at least 90 years.
‼️Today, @transportgovuk has awarded £7.6 million from the Safer Roads Fund, to make major safety improvements to the #A57#SnakePass. We’ll be using the money to introduce major safety improvements along a 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/IrpmJpDfXl
Proposed safety improvements to be carried out include the installation of up to 10 average speed camera sites along the route, with speed limit reminder signs, and the improving the junction of the A57 and Manor Park Road in Glossop by narrowing the road so it reduces the time it takes for pedestrians to cross.
More pedestrian crossings will be installed at the Dinting Vale viaduct to provide a safer walking route to the railway station
Advanced ‘road restraint’ safety barriers, which are designed to prevent motorcyclists sliding under existing safety barriers and reduce potential injuries, will also be installed, alongside anti-skid friction surfacing at bends and existing collisions sites to help minimise braking distances.
Snake Pass will be undergoing to undergo £7.6m safety improvements / Credit: Geograph (via Wikipedia Commons)
Councillor Charlotte Hill, who is the Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways, and Transport at Derbyshire Council says Snake Pass is a ‘major tourist route’ and a ‘key economic connection’ for the North.
“We have already carried out a number of safety improvements along the route, but a more holistic solution is required to save lives and change road user attitudes and behaviour along this challenging stretch of road.
“Using our experience gained from similar challenging routes in the county, we will now be able to finalise our proposals for the Snake Pass, in readiness for a public consultation later this year.
“We look forward to being able to deliver a step change in road safety and reduce casualties along this significant route.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Oasis 25: Heaton Park send off Oasis like only Manchester could – with biblical rain
Clementine Hall
Oasis are well and truly back on top as they performed for the final night at Heaton Park and what could still be the very last time in Manchester.
There are countless moments every night that show how uniting this full-on cultural moment has been.
The guy in the wheelchair being lifted overhead by a group of strangers for a better view. The couple getting engaged before being enveloped in a sea of bucket hats. The thousands of people gathering on ‘Gallagher Hill’ every night just to be close to this historic music event.
Then the celeb-spotting too: Jack Grealish, Shaun Ryder and Andy Whyment off Corrie in the same frame of a video; Orlando Bloom waving at fans. Liam and Noel’s kids all together on a big cousins’ night out. It’s had it all.
For a lot of Mancs, the Oasis reunion has felt like Christmas morning ever since it was announced last year following a number of post-gig teasers like that Blossoms headliner at Wythenshawe Park.
And it certainly felt like that as we braved the soggy ground over at Heaton Park for their fifth and final live show in Manchester.
The atmosphere in the crowd was almost surreal, a mass of Britpop-loving super fans who have been waiting for this exact moment for almost twenty years – and you could tell.
As the brothers strutted on stage, hand in hand, a feeling of euphoric joy surged from the crowd of 80,000.
For two hours, they deliver anthem after anthem, each song transcending generations as the older lot look back to their ‘Live Forever’ days and the youth can’t quite wrap their head around the band in front of them being here and now.
Oasis’ final night at Heaton Park was everything we dreamed it would be. (Credit: Audio North)
Oasis are just as good as ever; Liam’s gritty vocals and Noel‘s ripping guitar slot together perfectly as though they were made for one another.
They’re loud and they’re unapologetic, they are the sound of the people, and we were absolutely lapping it up.
Every song was a hit, from bangers like ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ to fan favourite ‘Live Forever’, and of course ‘Wonderwall’, the brothers gave the people exactly what they wanted.
Liam, maracas in hand and parka zipped to the top, not only might be the coolest man to walk the planet, but was undoubtedly born to be a frontman of a band. The head nods, the frowning eyebrows, the fists clenched behind his back – we were fully gripped by his sheer stage presence.
Images: The Manc Group
There was a moment where he put the tambourine in his mouth, closed his eyes and lifted his head to the sky, taking it all in and getting lost in the music – an icon.
And of course, in true Manc fashion, the heavens opened an hour into their set as the grey cloud everyone had an eye on took centre stage.
Did we care? No, we did not. It only made the moment that more special as we united as one unit, singing as loud as we could to combat the elements.
It’s clear to see how much Oasis means to so many; their music is embedded into the national psyche with a presence that simply defines generations.
Who knows when they’ll be performing back in Manchester again, and if this was their last time, then they can rest assured that by returning, they’ve made themselves the biggest band in the world again. And that’s an accolade they truly deserve.
Emily Sergeant -
12th January 2022 
