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Labour MP Angela Rayner has been appointed shadow education secretary.

Ms Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, Greater Manchester, has become the third person to hold the post this week. 

She was elected as an MP last year and since then has served as an opposition whip and shadow minister for work and pensions. Ms Rayner was promoted to shadow minister for women and equalities earlier this week, in the wake of a wave of shadow cabinet resignations in protest at ’s leadership.

If she accepts the role she will replace Pat Glass, who resigned from the post on Wednesday after just two days. Ms Glass said it was her “dream job” but that Labour’s political situation was “untenable”.

On Sunday Lucy Powell, who had held the post since September, resigned, he was unable to command the support of the Labour Party and the country.

Ms Rayner’s website says she grew up on a council estate and became a parent in her teens. She has previously worked as a care worker and a Unison trade union official. 

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