The weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) session in the UK Parliament can be a challenging affair for the Prime Minister, as they face intense scrutiny from lawmakers. Recently, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves attracted attention during PMQs as she was visibly emotional while seated next to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This moment occurred amid speculation about her future and claims that the Prime Minister’s government was losing credibility.
The reason for her tears remains unclear but was referred to as personal. Starmer was navigating questions about his government’s authority and was under pressure, particularly regarding a controversial welfare reform bill that many Labour MPs opposed. Consequently, the government had to withdraw significant provisions of the bill, which some viewed as indicative of weakness, especially given Starmer’s substantial majority in the House of Commons.
As markets reacted negatively, with a spike in interest rates and a drop in the pound, analysts highlighted the concerns investors had over the Chancellor’s fiscal discipline. Andrew Wishart from Berenberg Bank noted that Reeves was closely associated with maintaining stringent budgetary rules, and her potential departure could jeopardise this financial prudence. Despite the turmoil, Starmer provided assurances on Thursday, insisting that Reeves would remain in her position, which helped calm market tensions.
The PMQs session can often resemble a dramatic contest, with the Prime Minister going up against opposition leaders who aim to challenge them. Keir Starmer, amidst robust questioning, faced criticism from Kemi Badenoch of the Conservative Party, who implied that Reeves was functioning as a “human shield” for Starmer amid a tumultuous political landscape.
While Starmer appeared to praise Reeves’s economic management, he refrained from guaranteeing that she would stay in her post until the next general election. This evasiveness drew attention, particularly at the moment Reeves seemed visibly upset.
Following the session, questions arose regarding her emotional display, further fuelled by speculation about potential tensions within the government and Starmer’s acknowledgement of the challenging environment. Nonetheless, Starmer stated it was “absolutely wrong” to link her emotional state with recent policy setbacks and confirmed that Reeves had his full support, asserting that she would hold her position for a long time.
In subsequent appearances, Reeves expressed that her emotional moment was reflective of her challenging role and noted the visibility of her struggles on national television. Despite the intense atmosphere, she seemed to regain her composure, reminding observers that the pressure of political life often plays out in public.