It was difficult to witness. A moment of raw vulnerability, stripped of privacy. A display of sorrow. Rachel Reeves, overcome with emotion, her expression heavy with distress as Keir Starmer did not confirm she would retain her position by the next election. A stark reminder that those in politics are human, too.
Reeves stood alone under scrutiny during the leader’s exchanges, left exposed to opposition attacks without support from Starmer. He seemed unaware or unwilling to acknowledge her struggle, preoccupied with his own concerns. In the ruthless environment of Westminster, self-preservation reigns—perhaps it always has. Only at the end was she consoled by her sister, Ellie.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to unfold. For years, Labour had been defined by the partnership between Keir and Rachel—him as the public face, her as the economic strategist, the one trusted with stabilizing the party’s financial credibility. Now, their alliance is in disarray.
Tuesday night saw the Commons descend into disorder reminiscent of the Brexit turmoil, with eleventh-hour negotiations weakening the welfare bill—rendering it hollow, stripping away £5 billion in intended savings. The responsibility fell on Reeves, though the funds were never hers to lose. A grim milestone for Labour as they marked their first week in power since the 2024 election.
Starmer faced an undoubtedly difficult session. The entire cabinet appeared exhausted, many avoiding each other’s gaze. Liz Kendall avoided the frontbench entirely, choosing to stay out of sight—possibly having endured enough public setbacks the day before.
Keir appeared pale, forcing a smile as jeers from Tory benches overpowered those from his own side when he rose to speak. He sought to downplay the recent upheavals, treating them as routine. A soft question from Labour’s Paul Waugh helped ease him in—would he commend the party’s performance on free school meals? Predictably, he agreed.
Kemi Badenoch stepped forward. This should have been straightforward, but there was hesitation before she secured her point—though just barely.
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