How MP Angela Rayner paid tribute to the Queen in the Commons

MP Angela Rayner - who represents Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth in Parliament - says she has "always taken great inspiration" from the Queen in a heartfelt tribute in the House of Commons.

MPs from all parties came together on Friday during a special session following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. 

Proceedings started in a packed Commons with a minute's silence as MPs, all dressed in sombre clothes, bowed their heads.

The event was also filled with laughter and fond memories of the Queen, who ruled for more than 70 years as the UK's longest-serving monarch.

In her tribute, Ms Rayner, who is also deputy leader of the Labour Party, said it was "surreal" to meet the Queen over Zoom and that she "set an example of leadership for women everywhere". 

To us, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was our national figurehead, the greatest and longest-serving monarch in British history. To them, she was also ‘granny’.

We share in both the pain and the pride. She will be forever missed - and always in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/wJeKfOEbCB

— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) September 9, 2022

Her tribute in full 

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you to colleagues across the House for their moving words. 

Like other Members, I have found the outpouring of affection from both our shores and across the world for our Queen deeply heart-warming. 

I hope the Royal Family finds solace in this over the coming days and weeks. 

I have always taken great inspiration from our Queen. 

She was a woman who found herself in a position of leadership at such a young age. 

A woman who threw herself into service, as not just the most recognisable but also the most admired of global leaders. 

A woman who steered those she loved through times of joy and darkness, always drawing on her inner strength to help those most in need. 

I am in awe of the way she took on this unimaginable responsibility. She got on with job, never stopped and has set an example to all of us. 

One of the proudest moments of my life for me - and also my family - was when I was sworn into the Privy Council. These kinds of things just don’t happen to people like me - a girl from a Council estate in Stockport. 

It was surreal to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself on Zoom. She could put anyone at ease adapting to challenging circumstances and change. 

Most of all, though, she was a loving grandmother. 

And for me, as a grandmother myself - I know and understand the complete love she had for her family. 

Her children and grandchildren were the centre of her life - I know the whole House shares both their pain, and their pride. 

To us, she was our Queen, our national figurehead, the greatest and longest serving monarch in British history. 

To them - she was also ‘granny’. 

The loss of such a loving presence will be heartbreaking - my heart goes out to them. 

Her Majesty the late Queen was a constant figure of strength, integrity and service throughout all our lives. 

She was an inspiration to women across the world, a matriarch in the truest sense, with complete devotion to her duty, her family and her country. She set an example of leadership for women everywhere. 

The outpouring of condolences from leaders across the world is testament to that - she was our national figurehead but reached people across the globe - for decades. 

She rose above division - reigning through some of the most difficult political periods in British history, and serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the War as a mechanic and driver. 

More recently, we will never forget how she guided us through the despair and loneliness of the pandemic. 

Her values of public service and dignity never wavered. 

It is appropriate today that I speak from the back benches. Because our Queen was greatly loved and admired by the people of my constituency. 

She visited Greater Manchester many times, and was always welcomed with love by the local community. 

She was last in Manchester a year ago to visit the Coronation Street set, where the cast greeted her at the Rovers Return pub to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary. 

And it is just three months since the streets of Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth were decked with Union Flags as we came together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. 

Our local papers printed special additions packed with photographs of people throwing events to showcase their love for Her Majesty The late Queen. Sincere. Heartfelt. A fitting tribute. 

Now she is gone. But she will be forever missed. And always in our hearts.