Chancellor Rachel Reeves Breaks Silence on PMQs Tears, Insists No Apology Needed
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has broken her silence on the day she cried at Prime Minister's Questions, defiantly stating she is 'not gonna apologise' because everyone experiences moments of being 'overcome with emotion'. In an interview with Mumsnet today, the 47-year-old Labour politician spoke candidly about the 'stressful time' and addressed queries on benefits handouts and sluggish economic growth.
Emotional Commons Scene Recalled
The interview follows extraordinary scenes in July last year when Ms Reeves arrived at the Commons with puffy eyes, sitting by Labour leader Keir Starmer as tears rolled down her cheeks and her bottom lip wobbled. Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts presented the Chancellor with questions from users, including one from 'Eurotrotters' asking if she regrets the incident or believes people should be less judged for showing emotions at work.
Ms Reeves smiled at the question and admitted she 'regretted going to PMQs', adding, 'But you know, if I'd have known that was going to happen, obviously I wouldn't have gone.' She pointed out that her job is 'different' because 'the TV cameras are on when that happens', but firmly stated, 'So I'm not gonna apologise for crying. I don't think people should do that.' However, she concluded, 'But I think next time I feel like doing that, I'll stay in the office.'
Market Turmoil and Political Fallout
The tearful display, captured by TV cameras, fuelled speculation about her position and sent markets tumbling. The pound fell sharply and government borrowing costs jumped amid rumours she could be ousted, threatening Labour's fiscal credibility. Downing Street issued a statement confirming Ms Reeves had Sir Keir's 'full backing' and was 'going nowhere', despite intense scrutiny following a U-turn on welfare cuts that sparked a Labour rebellion.
When asked if she lies awake at night kicking herself, Ms Reeves laughed and said, 'I've got enough things to worry about at the moment - there's the conflict in the Middle East rather than pictures of me looking a little bit upset.' A Whitehall source revealed the Chancellor was feeling the heat after a disastrous period for the government, and it was left to her sister, MP Ellie Reeves, to offer comfort as they left the chamber hand in hand.
Benefits and Economic Growth Queries
In the same Mumsnet interview, Ms Reeves was probed on benefits handouts, with a user asking which groups feel better off aside from benefits claimants and unions. She insisted the 'whole point of the welfare state is it's there when you need it', rejecting simplistic divisions, and added that 'people who work in public services should be paid properly'.
On sluggish economic growth, Ms Reeves said, 'Our country has been through a number of very difficult years and we are starting, we are putting in place the policies to start to turn that around.' She highlighted that the UK was the fastest-growing European country in the G7 last year, with wages increasing more than inflation monthly since she became Chancellor, and noted changes to Universal Credit reducing child poverty by 450,000.
IMF Downgrades and Economic Challenges
However, a damning report from the International Monetary Fund today revealed the UK economy is expected to grow by just 0.8 per cent this year, a 0.5 percentage point downgrade from January—the biggest in the G7. The IMF also cut next year's outlook to 1.3 per cent, warned inflation could head towards 4 per cent, and predicted unemployment reaching 5.6 per cent, the highest since early 2015.
These projections undermine Labour's vow to make Britain the fastest-growing G7 nation and challenge Ms Reeves's claims of building economic stability. At IMF meetings in Washington DC, she insisted she has 'the right plan for a more volatile world', but the IMF noted living standards in the UK will barely grow, with output per person rising just 0.3 per cent—the weakest in the G7.
