Angela Rayner Excluded from National Security Council’s Permanent Membership

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has not granted Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner a permanent seat on the United Kingdom’s National Security Council (NSC). This development marks a departure from previous practices where deputy prime ministers had been permanent members of the NSC since its inception by David Cameron in 2010, with the notable exception during Liz Truss‘s brief leadership.

The composition of the NSC was revealed in details published on Thursday, disclosing that the council includes several key government officials. These members consist of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Defence Secretary John Healey, and Attorney General Lord Hermer, among others. Angela Rayner, however, sits on the larger National Security Council (Resilience) committee led by Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden.

Downing Street has refuted claims that Ms Rayner has been “snubbed.” The Prime Minister’s official spokesman explained, “All Cabinet committees include a range of secretaries of state, usually relevant to their portfolio. Attendees are not fixed, and ministers are always invited according to the specific agenda of the meeting.”

Despite not being a permanent member of the NSC, Ms Rayner holds significant roles within the government. She is a member of Cabinet committees that focus on home and economic affairs and chairs the Future of Work Committee, where she oversees government reforms to employment law.

However, there are emerging reports that suggest Ms Rayner is being sidelined, with some allies purportedly expressing concerns that she could be perceived as Sir Keir Starmer’s main political rival. Nevertheless, Labour Party members have shown strong support for Ms Rayner, largely due to her robust connections with the trade union movement and her appeal among the party’s left-leaning voters.

The National Security Council was established to coordinate national security strategy across government departments. Its role has continued to evolve, especially with the UK’s ongoing commitment to international security, as manifested in its current diplomatic relations and defense policies.