Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared close to tears during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, according to body language expert Judi James. The analysis came as Sir Keir Starmer faced Kemi Badenoch in what was his final PMQs before stepping down as prime minister.
Body Language Signals Distress
Judi James told the Daily Express: "The lighting in the Commons is notoriously unforgiving, but during this session of PMQs Rachel Reeves looked emotionally drained. Her face looked puffy and her eyes appeared tired, either as though she might be close to tears again or as though she might have already been crying."
James observed that when Badenoch attacked Reeves, accusing her of incompetence and disloyalty to Starmer, Reeves "applied a thin, sickly smile." However, as Starmer praised her, his repeated use of "we" linking himself with Reeves caused the corners of her lips to pull down. "The use of the plural did sound as though they had both technically resigned together on Monday," James added.
Political Turmoil
Reeves's position as Chancellor appears precarious. Reports suggest Andy Burnham, widely tipped to replace Starmer as Labour leader, could replace Reeves. Starmer announced his resignation on Monday following Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election, pressure from backbench MPs, and dire polling.
During the exchanges, Badenoch began by criticizing the government's failure to publish its Defence Investment Plan (DIP). Starmer responded that the plan would be released before the NATO summit starting July 7. Badenoch then targeted Reeves, saying Starmer "wouldn't be in this mess if his Chancellor had found money for the DIP" and asked: "Does the Prime Minister feel let down by his Chancellor?"
Starmer defended Reeves, stating she "ended austerity inflicted on our country for 14 long years – this is the Chancellor who got the economy growing."
Detailed Body Language Analysis
James noted that from the start, Reeves displayed signs of anxiety. "When Starmer rose to his feet, David Lammy even appeared to be watching Reeves behind the PM's back with a smile of what looked like encouragement tinged with possible concern," James said. "Reeves's first gesture looked like the 'tell' in terms of defining her inner feelings. Her hand rose to clutch at and play with the metal necklace she wore."
James explained that fiddling with jewellery can express inner anxiety or distress, serving as a self-comfort gesture and creating a partial body barrier that suggests vulnerability. Reeves's eye direction indicated "reflective or distracted thoughts," with her eyes to the side rather than on Starmer. A head flick seemed aimed at bracing for attack, but staccato blinking and a twitching mouth suggested inner tension.
When Badenoch accused Reeves of letting Starmer down, the Chancellor's "low-energy response" involved raised brows, rapid blinking, and silent muttering.
Other Exchange Highlights
Badenoch also criticized Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Starmer defended his government's record, citing "the fastest fall in NHS waiting list for 17 years, with the money for new rights for renters and working people – and we're lifting half a million children out of poverty." He added: "The test for every prime minister is handing over the country in better shape than you found it. I know I can do that, which is more than can be said for her predecessor, her predecessor's predecessor, and her predecessor's predecessor's predecessor."
On Labour backbenchers, Badenoch said they were "cheering so loudly while there are 400 knives stuck in" the Prime Minister's back. Starmer responded that he would "miss" PMQs and said: "I'm very proud of every one of our MPs who've had a landslide Labour victory... We inflicted the biggest loss on the Tory party opposite in the history of their party."
