Chancellor Rachel Reeves has described the moment she openly cried during Prime Minister's Questions last year as her 'toughest moment' in office, admitting that seeing the images splashed across newspaper front pages the next day was even more difficult.
Reeves Reflects on Emotional Breakdown
In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Reeves was asked about her hardest moment in two years as Chancellor. She laughed and replied: 'I would say, don't cry on national television. That was probably my toughest moment – or perhaps even tougher, seeing the photos of me crying on national television on the front pages of every newspaper the following day.'
The incident occurred last July during Prime Minister's Questions, when Reeves appeared distressed while sitting behind then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The emotional display sparked widespread confusion and speculation that she might be removed from her role, coinciding with the first anniversary of Labour's election victory.
Personal Reasons Behind the Tears
Reeves has never disclosed the specific reasons for her breakdown, but in the interview she elaborated slightly. Pressed on why she was crying, she said: 'It was a tough day, we all have tough days. I talk to my friends, and people wrote to me saying “that happened to me once,” and the only difference is that I was on the telly. People have difficult days at work, and that was one for me.'
The day after the incident, Reeves had stated that 'a personal issue' was behind her emotional state and that she would not go into details. She has previously spoken about how she viewed it as her 'job as Chancellor' to sit behind the PM at midday every Wednesday.
Potential Exit from Treasury
Reeves' sit-down chat with Kuenssberg may prove to be one of her final interviews as Chancellor, as incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to replace her at the Treasury. Among the top candidates to succeed her are Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Despite the tough moments, Reeves expressed pride in her tenure. Reflecting on her time at No 11, she said: 'I will go down in history as the first female Chancellor. But what I really hope is that – something I said, actually, when I gave my first speech as Chancellor, that I would know my time in office was a success if young women and girls felt there should be no ceiling on their ambition. And I do know, and I do believe, that there are young women today who say, “Maybe I could do that job one day.” That’s a great thing.'
Reeves also noted that even the difficult day was better than 'the 14 years in opposition' when she was unable to make any changes to the country.
