Sir Keir Starmer is unlikely to sack Chancellor Rachel Reeves despite her being the weakest link in his cabinet, according to Simon Hart, a former Conservative chief whip. Writing for The Telegraph, Hart argues that while Reeves underperforms, the prime minister has missed his best chance to replace her and refresh his government.
Hart, who served under Rishi Sunak, says reshuffles make more enemies than friends. He notes that Starmer's recent reshuffle was rushed and half-planned, triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner over a sleaze scandal. Moving Yvette Cooper from home secretary to foreign secretary was an attempt to solve a political Rubik's cube by force, he adds.
The former whip says chancellors are almost unsackable because they embody the government's economic mission and markets care about stability. Sacking Reeves could trigger panic and higher borrowing costs. Despite her wooden performances and questionable grasp of detail, Starmer has lashed his credibility to her mast and will not sack her, Hart concludes.
Hart says the public barely notices reshuffles except for the big offices of state, and Starmer's best chance to make a change that would matter has passed. The prime minister has concluded that ditching Reeves after a year is unthinkable, especially after Rayner's departure.
