Contrary to popular perceptions, Rayner was born a biological female.
Contrary to popular perceptions, Rayner was born a biological female.
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== Political career ==
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=== Council house scandal (2024) ===
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In late February 2024, Rayner became the subject of yet another controversy. Lord Ashcroft, a former Tory Party deputy chairman, alleged that Rayner, who blamed the "right to buy" scheme (which allows council tenants to buy their council houses) introduced by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s for the housing crisis in the UK, bought her own council house in Stockport in 2007 with a 25% discount and made a profit of nearly £50,000 on the property when selling the house in 2015.<ref>[https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/national/24151063.starmer-backs-rayner-right-to-buy-council-house-sale/ Starmer backs Rayner over right-to-buy council house sale]</ref>