Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has contested the Conservative Party’s inquiries into the tax dealings of his deputy, Angela Rayner, over the sale of her ex-council house in 2015. Denouncing the accusations as a pursuit of a smear, Starmer defended Rayner, asserting her integrity and stating that she has sought legal counsel regarding the tax allegations. This defence comes amid demands from Tory Party chairman, Richard Holden, for a comprehensive investigation into Rayner’s tax affairs. Starmer redirected the focus towards what he sees as more pressing issues, such as the extensive waiting times in A&E, indicating a stark contrast in priorities between the Labour and Conservative parties. The row accentuates the ongoing political tension and the divergence in focal points of the UK’s two leading parties.