Sir Keir Starmer failed to repeat a guarantee that Rachel Reeves will remain in her role as Chancellor for the whole of Labour’s first term in power as the Prime Minister remained under huge pressure over his welfare bill climbdown.
Kemi Badenoch took aim at a visibly emotional Ms Reeves during Prime Minister’s Questions and labelled the Chancellor a “human shield” for Sir Keir’s “incompetence”.
The Chancellor could be seen wiping tears from her face during PMQs although the exact reason why was not immediately clear.
Downing Street promised in January this year that Ms Reeves would remain as Chancellor for the duration of the five year parliament.
Mrs Badenoch asked Sir Keir to repeat the commitment.
Gesturing towards Ms Reeves, the Tory leader said: “She looks absolutely miserable. She looks absolutely miserable. Labour MPs are going on the record saying that the Chancellor is toast and the reality is that she is a human shield for his incompetence.
“In January he said that she would be in post until the next election. Will she really?”
Sir Keir said: “She certainly won’t [directed at Mrs Badenoch]. I have to say I am always cheered up when she asks me questions or responds to a statement because she always makes a complete mess of it and shows just how unserious and irrelevant they are.”
Mrs Badenoch then noted that Sir Keir had not guaranteed his Chancellor’s future.
“How awful for the Chancellor that he couldn’t confirm that she will stay in place,” she said....<<<Read More>>>...
