UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Health Secretary Wes Streeting defends Rachel Reeves, calling her tough and resilient, and insists she will continue as chancellor despite emotional scenes.
As reported by Sky News, Wes Streeting confirms Rachel Reeves will remain chancellor, dismissing ongoing speculation about her future in the role.
Wes Streeting’s views on Rachel Reeves’ emotional moment
Health Secretary backed Ms Reeves after she was seen in tears during PMQs, voicing strong support for her cabinet colleague.
He said,
“She is OK, I’ve been in touch with her and look, as politicians, we are all human beings. Lots of people watching will think of times when we’ve had things going on in our lives. That doesn’t mean you leave all of those problems behind at the door.”
Mr Streeting stated,
“She is tough, she will bounce back, and it’s the strength of Rachel’s leadership that has seen interest rates fall four times, that’s seen wages finally going up faster than the cost of living and has given the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7.”
He said,
“There’s still more to do on the economy, we make no bones about that, and that’s why to reassure people, Rachel Reeves is here to stay as our chancellor.”
The health secretary added,
“She has got the courage, the strength and the judgment to make not always the decisions that are popular or easy, but the right choices to make sure that our country is better off, but also that people at home feel better off and our businesses go from strength to strength as well as our economy.”
What did Wes Streeting say about Keir Starmer’s future?
Wes Streeting dismissed claims about Sir Keir Starmer’s future, after two Labour sources suggested the PM’s time may be running out.
He added,
“Sir Keir Starmer has been consistently underestimated, and I wonder when people will learn. They said he couldn’t win the Labour leadership, but he did. They said he couldn’t change the Labour Party, but he did. They said he couldn’t take the Labour Party from its worst defeat since the 1930s to election victory last year – and he did. Now the cynics say he can’t change the country, but he will.”
Keir Starmer’s stance on Rachel Reeves’ future
During a BBC interview, when a question was asked about Rachel Reeve’s emotional scene in Commons, Sir Keir said,
“It’s got nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with what’s happened this week. It was a personal matter for her. I’m not going to intrude on her privacy by talking to you about that. It is a personal matter.”
Responding to questions about Rachel Reeves’ position, the Labour leader said,
“She will be Chancellor by the time this is broadcast, and she will be Chancellor for a very long time to come. This project — to change the Labour Party, win the election, and change the country — is one we’ve built together.”
What did the chancellor’s spokesperson say about her tears during PMQs?
Rachel Reeves’ spokesperson said she was dealing with a personal matter and refused to share details.
They said,
“It’s a personal matter, which – as you would expect – we are not going to get into. The Chancellor will be working out of Downing Street this afternoon.”
What did Wes Streeting say about weight loss jabs?
Wes Streeting described weight loss injections as a growing trend, saying, “They’re the talk of the House of Commons tea rooms – half my colleagues are on them.”
He said the jabs should be available based on need, not the ability to pay, adding that he intends to prioritise access for those who need them most.
In an interview, Mr Streeting said weight-loss jabs are widely discussed among MPs. He criticised the cost barrier, stating that access should not be limited to those who can afford more than £200 a month.