General election 2019: Angela Rayner tells Question Time she could back Brexit in second referendum The 39-year-old is seen as one of the favourites to become Labour leader if Jeremy Corbyn steps down

Angela Rayner, touted as a future Labour leadership contender, is likely to vote Leave if there is a second Brexit referendum under Jeremy Corbyn, she said on Monday night.

The shadow Education Secretary told a BBC Question Time special she would support a new Brexit deal as long as it “protects the economy and jobs”.

Ms Rayner is now the most senior member of the shadow Cabinet to suggest she will support Leave in any rerun of the 2016 vote, after other front-runners for the leadership have committed to back Remain under any circumstances.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

She made the comments during a special episode of the BBC One show for voters under 30.

Backing Leave

She told an audience of young people on Question Time: “People think we’re trying to stop Brexit, that’s not what we’re trying to do.”

Asked how she would vote in a second referendum, Ms Rayner said: “If we get a deal that protects the economy and jobs, then I would vote for it.”

The 39-year-old is seen as one of the favourites to become Labour leader if Mr Corbyn steps down after an election defeat.

Other contenders including Emily Thornberry, Keir Starmer and John McDonnell are all in favour of staying in the EU – as are a large majority of Labour members.

‘Dog-whistle racism’

During Monday night’s debate Ms Rayner also clashed angrily with Brexit Party chief Nigel Farage over his role in the first referendum, telling him: “You were trying to dog-whistle racism and you’re a disgrace.”

He replied: “You’ve got an anti-Semitism problem, you have lowered British politics.” Mr Farage told the audience he planned to spoil his ballot in Thursday’s election, and insisted he will never accept a seat in the House of Lords.