Rachel Reeves Stays On Amid U-Turns and Turmoil in Starmer’s Government
So, let’s talk about what’s been making headlines in the UK political scene—Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and all the drama swirling around her future. There’s been a lot of noise, a few emotional moments, and yes, even tears in Parliament.
On Wednesday, during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Reeves was seen looking visibly shaken—some say she was in tears—as she sat behind Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It followed a particularly rough 24 hours for the government after they were forced into a major policy reversal. The issue? Welfare spending cuts.
Originally, the government proposed significant reductions to welfare support, including cuts to benefits for disabled people—moves they claimed would save £5 billion a year. But those plans faced serious pushback, not from the opposition, but from within their own Labour Party. Starmer’s team had to soften and delay those cuts to avoid a full-scale revolt. Despite their efforts, 49 Labour MPs still voted against the bill, which doesn’t exactly scream party unity.
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Naturally, this raised questions about Reeves. As the person responsible for the Treasury’s financial roadmap, these U-turns have dealt a big blow to her fiscal plans. And it’s not the first time. Just in May, another controversial plan—scrapping winter fuel subsidies for pensioners—was also abandoned. That’s two key revenue-raising strategies out the window.
When challenged directly in Parliament about whether Reeves would remain in her post, Starmer initially sidestepped. That only added fuel to the speculation that her job might be on the line. But shortly after, his press office issued a firm statement: “She is going nowhere. She has the Prime Minister’s full backing.”
That endorsement comes as Starmer approaches the one-year mark of his premiership, at a time when public approval is low and the economy isn’t showing many signs of picking up. The fact that the Treasury is now short of billions it was counting on to fund public services only ramps up pressure on the government—and makes tax hikes seem more likely, despite promises not to raise income or sales tax.
Now, whatever personal matter Reeves might be facing—which the Treasury hasn’t commented on—there’s no denying the immense political weight she’s carrying. A tough job just got tougher. But as of now, Starmer is standing by her.
So, the question isn’t just whether Rachel Reeves will survive politically, but whether the government’s broader agenda can hold together under mounting internal pressure and public scrutiny. One thing’s for sure: this won’t be the last time we hear her name in the headlines.
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