As the Labour Party Conference got underway this weekend, a moment from deputy leader Angela Rayner’s Channel 4 interview went viral after she was hilariously interrupted by a phone call from an extremely important person on the other end: her mum.
Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool began on Sunday, 7 October, following a week where headlines were dominated by the Conservatives once again posting up at the Midland Hotel, announcing the scrapping of HS2 to Manchester and Sacha Lord posting huge adverts about Rishi Sunak in the city.
We think it’s safe to say their arrival in 0161 wasn’t met the warmest of welcome with protests just outside, various ministers being grilled for lies and inaccuracies during their respective speeches, as well as reportedly being thrown out of a bar in the Gay Village following an incident with a drag act.
In contrast, this behind-the-scenes moment from Angela Rayner and her mother, Lynn Bowen, has tickled countless people online in what is being described as not only a simply heart-warming and “relatable” moment but also one of the most stereotypically Northern exchanges you could imagine.
Angela Rayner answers a call from her mum mid-interview.
As the Stockport-born MP for Ashton-under-Lyne goes on to explain, her mum never typically chooses to ring her so the 43-year-old’s first thought was that “something must be really up with her”.
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Wearing an expression that anyone would recognise if their mum has ever called for a natter at the most inconvenient time possible (that’s just what they do sometimes), the people behind the camera begin to chuckle as her mum still stays on the phone after an obvious hint to end the call from her daughter.
The face she pulls went her mum still doesn’t hang up and just says, “You’re alright, I was just congratulating you, you did well” is absolute gold; that classic mix of exasperation whilst still having to be polite because they literally gave birth to you.
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The whole thing only gets funnier when she says that her mum isn’t usually up at this time but is “going to Llandudno today” — again, the kind of throwaway comment that you expect to be thrown into conversation after popping into your nan’s for a brew.
Rayner began caring for her mum and siblings at a young age following bouts of depression. (Credit: ITV News)
While there are some people online suggesting that the clip might be staged in an attempt for some good PR spin, mainly due to the fact she decides to put it on speakerphone, the majority are labelling it a “relatable”, “genuine” “down-to-earth” and “working class” moment.
One person commented, “I think Angela Rayner is awesome. She cares enough about her mother to answer. In the middle of an interview. Because her mum’s important. Love it.”, while another added, “A real person as a politician. Refreshing in the UK but it shouldn’t be”. Several simply said, “Rayner for PM”.
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One thing’s for sure, we’ll never get tired of hearing a Manc accent on a politician. Rayner received similar praise for her speech at the Labour conference, which was filled with quips at the Tory party’s expense and focus on restoring fair wages, proper social housing and making misogyny “a hate crime”.
Tribute paid to man ‘loved by so many’ stabbed to death in Levenshulme
Daisy Jackson
The brother of a man stabbed to death in Levenshulme has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Zherko Rasul Osman was just 24 years old when he was fatally wounded in an incident on Chapel Street on Saturday evening.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel, Zherko sadly died at the scene.
Now, his brother has paid tribute to him, saying he was ‘someone who was loved by so many’.
The touching tribute reads: “My brother was a kind, friendly and loving person who never looked for trouble or wanted to harm anyone.
“He was loved and respected by his friends, his mates and the neighbours in the community where he lived. He had a good heart and would always be remembered for the warmth and happiness he brought to those around him.
“His life was taken so suddenly and for no reason, leaving a pain and emptiness that words cannot describe. We are heartbroken that someone who was loved by so many is no longer here. He deserved to live his life and make memories with the people he loved.
“He will never be forgotten. His smile, his kindness and the memories we shared with him will stay in our hearts forever. We love you, and we will miss you every single day.”
Zherko Rasul Osman suffered serious stab wounds on Chapel Street in Levenshulme at around 7.06pm on Saturday 15 August.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning. A 27-year-old man who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder remains on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers continue to make progress as the investigation continues. It is believed this was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are urging anyone who may have information to please report it through the dedicated online portal HERE.
Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect the Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
Danny Jones -
9th October 2023 
