Chancellor Rachel Reeves has declared she will not apologise for crying during Prime Minister's Questions last year, though she expressed regret over attending the Commons while emotionally distressed that day. In a candid interview with MumsNet nearly a year after the incident, the chancellor reflected on the moment she was captured on television weeping behind Sir Keir Starmer in July, stating she might opt to remain in her office rather than participate in PMQs if similar feelings arise again.
Emotional Moment in the Commons
At the time, Ms Reeves attributed her tears to personal matters, but they coincided with the prime minister declining to guarantee her position at the next election. This occurred amidst mounting pressure on Sir Keir to dismiss her as chancellor, along with his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, following a welfare policy reversal that created a £5 billion shortfall in public finances. The visible distress spooked financial markets and caused the pound's value to dip, prompting Downing Street to assert that the chancellor retained Sir Keir's "full backing" and was "going nowhere."
Reeves' Regret and Resolve
Speaking to MumsNet, Ms Reeves acknowledged her remorse: "Well, I regret going to PMQs — but you know, if I’d have known that was going to happen, obviously I wouldn’t have gone." She empathised with users, noting that many have experienced overwhelming emotions at work, but highlighted the unique scrutiny of her role: "I guess the difference in my job is that the TV cameras are on when that happens. So I’m not going to apologise for crying. I don’t think people should do that." However, she added a practical note: "But I think next time I feel like doing that, I’ll stay in the office."
AI Adoption Contradictions
In the same interview, Ms Reeves admitted she does not use artificial intelligence in her professional duties, despite previously hailing it as the "defining technology of our era" in a major speech. When asked which AI platform she employs, the chancellor—who has set a goal for Britain to achieve the fastest AI adoption rate in the G7—responded: "I don’t use anything." Upon suggestion that such systems could assist her, she quipped: "Maybe that’s where I’m going wrong."
Government's AI Strategy
This revelation comes as the prime minister has positioned AI at the core of Britain's economic plan, pledging £2 billion over five years for the AI Opportunities Action Plan. Just this week, Ms Reeves launched a £500 million fund to bolster British AI companies, underscoring the government's commitment to technological advancement despite her personal non-use of the tools.
The interview sheds light on the personal and professional challenges faced by high-profile politicians, blending human vulnerability with policy contradictions in the public eye.
