Chancellor Rachel Reeves Breaks Silence After Commons Tears, Unveils NHS Plan with PM Starmer
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Breaks Silence After Commons Tears, Unveils NHS Plan with PM Starmer
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has publicly addressed her emotional moment in the House of Commons on Wednesday, stating she had “a tough day” due to a “personal issue.” Her comments followed a surprise joint appearance with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to unveil the government’s new 10-year plan for the NHS.
Reeves, who was seen smiling and sharing a hug with Sir Keir at an East London hospital, emphasized her commitment to her role, declaring, “Today’s a new day and I’m just cracking on with the job.” Her appearance alongside the Prime Minister aimed to present a united front, particularly after initial concerns arose following her tearful display during Prime Minister’s Questions, which saw government borrowing costs briefly rise. Sir Keir swiftly moved to reaffirm his support, insisting he was “in lockstep” with his Chancellor and that she would remain in her post “for a very long time to come.”
During the NHS announcement, which focused on new neighbourhood health centres, Sir Keir praised Reeves, crediting her fiscal decisions for enabling record NHS investment. When questioned about her emotional state during PMQs, Sir Keir stated he “hadn’t appreciated what was happening” amidst the rapid-fire nature of the session, reiterating that the incident stemmed from a “personal issue.”
Despite recent speculation about her position, fueled by parliamentary challenges to benefit changes that impacted fiscal plans, Reeves affirmed her capability for the job. She dismissed suggestions of disunity with the Prime Minister, asserting, “People can see that Keir and me are a team.” While declining to speculate on future tax increases, she acknowledged that the recently passed welfare changes would be reflected in the autumn Budget, underscoring her commitment to fiscal discipline and the government’s borrowing rules to maintain economic stability.
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