Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly stated that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is subjected to a heightened level of abuse and criticism specifically because she is a woman.
Sexism Rife in Public Life, Says PM
Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit, the Prime Minister condemned the sexism prevalent in public life, pointing the finger at both politics and the media. His comments came directly after Chancellor Reeves expressed her frustration with critics, stating she was 'sick of people mansplaining how to be Chancellor to me'.
When asked if the criticism aimed at Ms Reeves was sexist, Mr Starmer gave a firm response. 'I strongly believe that women in public life get much more criticism and abuse than men', he stated, emphasising that this issue extends beyond Westminster.
Praise for the UK's First Female Chancellor
Mr Starmer also took the opportunity to praise Ms Reeves's historic position and her performance in the role. 'I'm really proud to have the first female Chancellor ever in however many hundreds of years', he said, highlighting the significance of her appointment after centuries of male chancellors.
He pointed to her concrete achievements, stating that because of her decisions, the government has delivered five million extra NHS appointments, surpassing their election pledge. He also noted five interest rate cuts and significant wage growth under her tenure.
Chancellor's Personal Response to Critics
Ahead of her crucial Budget, Rachel Reeves gave a candid interview where she addressed the personal toll of the criticism. She revealed that being negatively labelled 'Rachel from accounts' by opponents only served to motivate her further.
'I recognise that I've got a target on me', she said. 'You can see that in the media; they're going for me all the time. It's exhausting.' Despite this, she remained defiant, vowing not to let the attacks undermine her confidence.
Ms Reeves also sought to connect with the public on a human level, stating, 'I'm not a public personality. I'm the Chancellor. I'm a mum with two kids... I'm just trying to do my best.' Her focus, she affirmed, is on proving to the nation that they can trust her with the economy.
