Reeves Cites Personal Matter Amid PMQs Speculation

Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to guarantee that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her position until the next election, following a parliamentary U-turn on government welfare reforms that created a significant gap in Labour's fiscal plans. During a heated Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of using Reeves as a 'human shield' for policy failures, referencing Reeves' visibly emotional state. Reeves was seen crying in the Commons, fueling speculation about her future, though Downing Street and Starmer's team insisted she is 'going nowhere' and has the Prime Minister’s backing. The welfare reform reversal, triggered by Labour rebels, has increased spending projections and raised the likelihood of further tax increases. Despite public support from leadership, Starmer's reluctance to explicitly affirm Reeves' tenure has intensified scrutiny over her role and the government's stability. Reeves stated her visible distress was due to a personal matter, not her political situation.