Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced significant disruption during her highly anticipated economic speech on Tuesday when pro-Palestine protesters repeatedly interrupted her address.
The Labour MP was delivering her Mais Lecture at the Bayes Business School in London when demonstrators stood up and shouted criticisms of the party's stance on Gaza. The interruptions forced Reeves to pause multiple times during what was meant to be a landmark economic policy announcement.
Confrontation During Keynote Address
As Reeves began outlining Labour's economic vision, protesters made their presence known with chants including "Shame on you" and direct challenges to the politician. Security personnel were seen intervening to remove several demonstrators from the venue while the Shadow Chancellor attempted to continue her speech.
One protester was heard shouting: "Why aren't you calling for a ceasefire? Why are you complicit in genocide?" The confrontations highlighted the ongoing divisions within Labour over the party's position on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Attempts to Continue Amid Disruption
Despite the repeated interruptions, Reeves maintained her composure and continued with her economic message. "I'm going to carry on with my speech because it's really important," she told the audience, acknowledging the protests but refusing to engage directly with the demonstrators.
The incident occurred during one of the most significant economic speeches by a Labour frontbencher in recent months, intended to position the party as ready for government and fiscally responsible.
Growing Pressure on Labour Leadership
This protest represents the latest in a series of confrontations facing Labour MPs over the party's Middle East policy. With the general election approaching, the incident underscores the balancing act Keir Starmer's team faces in maintaining party unity while addressing international conflicts.
The disruption also raises questions about security arrangements for high-profile political events and the increasing willingness of activists to directly confront politicians during public appearances.
