Reeves Welfare U-turn Spurs Debate on Civility

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was visibly emotional during Prime Minister's Questions after Labour was forced to make a significant U-turn on its welfare reforms, erasing £5 billion in planned savings and undermining her economic strategy. The move sparked criticism from both opposition and Labour MPs and increased scrutiny of Reeves' future as Chancellor. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch publicly mocked Reeves' distress, prompting a wider debate about civility and misogyny in UK politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially declined to guarantee Reeves' position, but Downing Street later stated she retains his full support. The incident has fueled discussion about the personal pressures faced by politicians and the need for greater compassion in Westminster. Reeves now faces difficult fiscal choices in the upcoming autumn budget amid heightened internal and public scrutiny.