Starmer's China Visit Begins Amid Chancellor Absence Mystery
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has commenced his official visit to China today, a trip that has been immediately overshadowed by questions surrounding the notable absence of Chancellor Rachel Reeves from the delegation.
Unexpected Travel Arrangements Raise Eyebrows
The Chancellor had been widely anticipated to join the Prime Minister on this significant diplomatic mission, particularly given her vocal advocacy for strengthening economic connections with the Asian superpower. However, in a surprising turn of events, junior Treasury minister Lucy Rigby boarded the plane to Beijing alongside Sir Keir and Business Secretary Peter Kyle.
Sources within Whitehall have expressed bewilderment at this development. One Foreign Office insider described the situation as 'very odd', suggesting there appeared to have been a 'late decision' regarding the travel party. Another senior Labour figure simply labelled the arrangement 'weird', adding to the atmosphere of confusion.
Treasury Defends Chancellor's Role
Treasury officials have moved swiftly to counter suggestions that Ms Reeves has been sidelined. An aide insisted the Chancellor played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the Prime Minister's trip, highlighting her meeting with her Chinese counterpart at the World Economic Forum in Davos just last week. They also pointed to Ms Reeves' own visit to China for talks in January of this year.
The Treasury explained Ms Rigby's presence by emphasising the financial services focus of the visit, which includes the launch of a new City-China working group. Officials further claimed that security concerns prevented them from denying earlier speculation that Ms Reeves would be travelling with the Prime Minister.
Background of Reported Tensions
The absence follows claims that the Chancellor was 'put out' to have been left behind. This comes just days after she was seemingly overruled when the government proceeded with a stringent limit on ground rents for leasehold properties, a policy area within her remit.
Adding to the narrative of discord, Ms Reeves was notably absent from Commons duties yesterday, where details of a controversial bailout for pubs were announced. Instead, junior minister Dan Tomlinson faced the political backlash from Labour MPs.
There have been persistent rumours of underlying tensions between the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. Treasury-led policies, such as the abolition of the winter fuel allowance and increases to employers' national insurance contributions, have been viewed by some as politically damaging to the government.
Reeves' Stance on China Relations
Despite her absence from the trip, the Chancellor has been a prominent voice on UK-China relations. Speaking at the World Economic Forum last week alongside US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ms Reeves talked up the necessity of improved ties.
'The trade intensity between the UK and China is lower than between the US and China, lower than Germany and China, lower than France and China,' she stated. 'We don't want to be an outlier but we are a bit of an outlier today, and we've missed out on opportunities for British businesses.'
She argued for engagement, stating that institutions like Bank of America conduct business in China, and the UK should help its own businesses export to fast-growing markets. However, she balanced this with a commitment to challenge China on issues such as dumping and human rights, specifically mentioning activist Jimmy Lai.
'You've got to be in the room to be able to have those conversations,' she concluded, making her physical absence from the current diplomatic room in Beijing all the more conspicuous.
