Page 24 | to believe Rachel Reeves was crying because

LargeDeviation · 2025-07-02T18:44:56+00:00

1) she was upset when Lindsay Hoyle told her to keep her answers short 2) she had an argument with Keir Starmer (possibly about her keeping her job, or about how to handle the inevitable questions about the new £5.5bn per annum black hole) just before PMQs 3) Keir Starmer refused to say she would keep her job in front of the whole country. If he genuinely wanted her to stay, he would just say 'of course she's going to still be Chancellor' and that would be that. 4) she is under immense pressure because she knows she will have soon to breach her fiscal rules, she knows she is responsible for many of the decisions that will lead to that, and she knows the how serious the consequences of her failure will be. We have seen recently (even just today) how vicious the bond market can be. In short, I believe she was crying because of professional pressures (understandable ones, though largely of her own making, and about which I have little sympathy) and not nebulous 'personal' reasons. If her parent or partner or child or grandparent or pet is ill the natural thing is to just say 'sorry, a close relative is in hospital and my emotions got the better of me'. Everybody would understand. You don't need huge reams of evidence but you need to give the bare bones of an explanation. She is trying to style it out but we can all see through it. I will apologise if I'm wrong but long experience shows that 'personal reasons' almost always means 'I'm skiving or jobhunting' when a colleague in the workplace uses it to excuse their time off. I believe it means even less when uttered by a politican.

Meadowfinch · 02/07/2025 22:46

HauntedMarshmallow · 02/07/2025 22:44

Vulnerable OAP’s didn’t lose anything though, only people with an annual income higher than the average U.K. wage for working people.

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But only after weeks of protest and the govt being forced into yet another capitulation.

TwoFeralKids · 02/07/2025 22:45

indigovapour · 02/07/2025 22:43

Because the end result is certain if we can’t control the benefits bill (which means very substantially cutting it) and that being the case it would be better to precipitate the crisis quickly and then get on with the long, painful process of fixing it.

The government has just demonstrated that although its leaders seem to have an understanding of the problem we’re facing, they have no ideas for generating the growth they bet the farm on and no ability to whip their MPs to do anything about costs. We’re cooked and the sooner we face up to it and impose some real discipline, the better.

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You sound very gleeful at the prospect of putting families in poverty.

PandoraSocks · 02/07/2025 22:45

Bluebellwood129 · 02/07/2025 22:27

I think it's very clear Starmer is also fighting for survival tonight.

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Of course he isn't. Wishful thinking on your part.

Salsa8680 · 02/07/2025 22:44

I believe Rachel is not equipped for such a big job and does not have the heart or expertise.

It is sad for anyone to be in this position but probably never understood the enormous pressure of such a position.

Best she steps down before she breaks down completely!

The country needs an organised highly effective and experienced team that work together!

bluewanda · 02/07/2025 22:44

Snapespeare · 02/07/2025 22:35

I don't want to completely derail this and I do want to correct myself a little as I've googled a bit further - Dad was a teacher, Mum was a social worker - you didn't need degrees to do either in the 1970's - I also don't want to drag myself down and internet rabbit hole attempting to research her mum and Dad (so I won't ..)

They are - of course - both professions - but the social status of Primary teacher and social worker in the 70's is arguably not quite up there with lawyers and Doctors (respect due, both tough jobs)
Reeves when to a comprehensive in Lewisham.

My point is the unhelpful stereotype attached to her background - the same as Rayner, 'thick', 'common' 'ideas above her station', 'out of her depth'.

I internet-rabbit-holed just a little. Only three chancellor's before RR were state school educated. Denis Healey, Gordon Brown and Philip Hammond. This is part of 'Rachel-from-accounts' Not only minimised because of her sex, but also her state school education..

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Margaret Thatcher went to a state primary school (I presume) and then a grammar - and she was the first female PM in an era that was far tougher for women in terms of misogyny and sexism than it is now. I remember reading an article about the comments she would get from men in the HoC and they were horrific. I don’t think Reeves’s current predicament has anything to do with schooling or being the first female chancellor personally - it’s more that she’s just out of her depth and exhausted in what is an incredibly stressful job.

HauntedMarshmallow · 02/07/2025 22:44

Viviennemary · 02/07/2025 22:26

That is nonsense. Oaps are more vulnerable and they took away their miserly £200 fuel allowance without any qualms whatsoever. They make me sick. I doubt I will ever vote for them again

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Vulnerable OAP’s didn’t lose anything though, only people with an annual income higher than the average U.K. wage for working people.

Meadowfinch · 02/07/2025 22:44

luckylavender · 02/07/2025 21:15

@Meadowfinch- what’s it like being perfect? Have you ever been caught in the eye of a media storm?

I am not perfect, nowhere near, and have never claimed to be.

But I haven't falsely claimed to be an experienced economist nor had the arrogance to make decisions of huge impact on peoples' livelihoods without having a clue what I am doing. RR on the other hand ......

Chancellor of the Exchequer is a hugely important role that affects every one of us. No matter how much sympathy you may feel for an exhausted and out-of-her-depth woman, she cannot do the job, her inability is undermining our economy and so she must stand down.

bombastix · 02/07/2025 22:43

The Corbyn Tardis is not available. Labour are in the cold reality of spending 109 billion on debt repayments thanks to COVID. Reeves hasn’t even made a dent in that problem

indigovapour · 02/07/2025 22:43

TwoFeralKids · 02/07/2025 21:41

Why would you wish for this?

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Because the end result is certain if we can’t control the benefits bill (which means very substantially cutting it) and that being the case it would be better to precipitate the crisis quickly and then get on with the long, painful process of fixing it.

The government has just demonstrated that although its leaders seem to have an understanding of the problem we’re facing, they have no ideas for generating the growth they bet the farm on and no ability to whip their MPs to do anything about costs. We’re cooked and the sooner we face up to it and impose some real discipline, the better.

ilovesooty · 02/07/2025 22:42

MyNameIsX · 02/07/2025 21:06

FFS.

It’s very much our business - many of us have suffered owing to her incompetence. The personal issue line is horse shit - we all know it.

The sooner she goes, and this abomination of a ‘government’ follow her, the better.

Look at the damage they have caused in 12 months.

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No, we don't all know it.

MerryMaidens · 02/07/2025 22:42

Starmer's not fighting for survival, that's absolute bollocks. He's capitulated on one policy. And absolutely no labour party politician would want to challenge right now.

What he has got on his hands is a now empowered bunch of backbenchers (which I personally think is much more healthy in a large majority). So the number 10 machine can expect to be challenged much more robustly.

And yes, exactly, May got it when no man wanted it.

More civility in politics is needed. Less below the belt hitting. Adults can disagree politely and constructively.

(And it's no more Rayner's job to offer empathy than it is all her male front bench colleagues, or is she supposed to do all the emotional labour for them as well? Does having a penis preclude empathy?)

chaosmaker · 02/07/2025 22:41

Corbyn's cabinet should have been voted in. His policies were the ones we needed and remember that starmer agreed with them when he was in his party.

bombastix · 02/07/2025 22:40

Snapespeare · 02/07/2025 22:35

I don't want to completely derail this and I do want to correct myself a little as I've googled a bit further - Dad was a teacher, Mum was a social worker - you didn't need degrees to do either in the 1970's - I also don't want to drag myself down and internet rabbit hole attempting to research her mum and Dad (so I won't ..)

They are - of course - both professions - but the social status of Primary teacher and social worker in the 70's is arguably not quite up there with lawyers and Doctors (respect due, both tough jobs)
Reeves when to a comprehensive in Lewisham.

My point is the unhelpful stereotype attached to her background - the same as Rayner, 'thick', 'common' 'ideas above her station', 'out of her depth'.

I internet-rabbit-holed just a little. Only three chancellor's before RR were state school educated. Denis Healey, Gordon Brown and Philip Hammond. This is part of 'Rachel-from-accounts' Not only minimised because of her sex, but also her state school education..

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There are a few others on that state school list. Major. Callaghan. Clarke.

tobee · 02/07/2025 22:40

That's probably because Trump doesn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders @bluewanda . That kind of thing doesn't bother him. He's only interested in people kissing his arse. And if they don't do it fast enough, he goes after them. Mob boss tactics.

EasternStandard · 02/07/2025 22:40

HauntedMarshmallow · 02/07/2025 22:35

Keir is very chilled out. He’s not in politics for his own self aggrandisement like Boris and the like. Apart from Daily Mail readers, he low key popular with the general public.

He was actually elected unlike several past PMs so it’s not a case of needing to call a GE to prove himself.

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Really? He’s not chilled. He’s too craven for that.

NetZeroZealot · 02/07/2025 22:40

MyNameIsX · 02/07/2025 22:28

Not sure who your post is in reply to but would you say that Reeves has shown ‘empathy and humanity’ to the following?

SME owners
Farmers
Pensioners
Welfare claimants
Private school parents, kids and teachers

Await yours, please.

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I’m 2 of the things on your list and I’ve got no issues whatsoever with her.

BIossomtoes · 02/07/2025 22:40

Snapespeare · 02/07/2025 22:35

I don't want to completely derail this and I do want to correct myself a little as I've googled a bit further - Dad was a teacher, Mum was a social worker - you didn't need degrees to do either in the 1970's - I also don't want to drag myself down and internet rabbit hole attempting to research her mum and Dad (so I won't ..)

They are - of course - both professions - but the social status of Primary teacher and social worker in the 70's is arguably not quite up there with lawyers and Doctors (respect due, both tough jobs)
Reeves when to a comprehensive in Lewisham.

My point is the unhelpful stereotype attached to her background - the same as Rayner, 'thick', 'common' 'ideas above her station', 'out of her depth'.

I internet-rabbit-holed just a little. Only three chancellor's before RR were state school educated. Denis Healey, Gordon Brown and Philip Hammond. This is part of 'Rachel-from-accounts' Not only minimised because of her sex, but also her state school education..

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Major was state educated and held three of the four great offices of state with just three O levels.

Hotflushesandchilblains · 02/07/2025 22:39

bluewanda · 02/07/2025 22:36

I don’t know - he’s always been orange with weird blond hair. But facially he doesn’t look old beyond his years or like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, despite being the most powerful person on the planet.

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No, that is what they were saying - that he has looked older than his age for a really long time. I remember him from way back when he looked quite normal - tasteless, and tacky, yes, but more in an '80s way, rather than the current look. Not surprising that he might have been ages badly for decades when you hear about his lifestyle.

Mounjarorookie · 02/07/2025 22:38

Bluebellwood129 · 02/07/2025 22:31

Reeves joined the Bank of England in September 2000 as part of their graduate scheme.[10] In a 2021 interview with Stylist magazine, Reeves said she had spent a decade working as an economist at the Bank of England, however her LinkedIn CV listed six years at the Bank, from September 2000 to December 2006,[12] and during one of these years she was pursuing a master's degree at the LSE.[10] In February 2025, BBC News reported that Reeves' LinkedIn CV had also been incorrect, and that she had left the Bank of England by March 2006.[13]

In 2006, Reeves moved to Leeds to work for the retail arm of HBOS.[14][15] In 2024, due to criticism of Reeves saying she had worked as an economist at HBOS, her LinkedIn CV was changed, and her role at the bank was updated to "Retail Banking".[10][16] The Times reported her actual role was "running a customer relations department dealing with complaints and mortgage retention".[10] The report led to the media and opposition politicians nicknaming her "Rachel from accounts".[17][18]

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Thank you Fraud , deception and lies. Pretty clear isn’t it? She thought she could carry on using* the same approach ad infinitum. Well at last people are starting to notice. If she thought her lily livered boss would protect her then she’s even more dense than I thought.

FatherFrosty · 02/07/2025 22:38

What an utterly thankless job she has
i do genuinely feel thankful the grown ups are in charge at the moment.
I don’t agree with everything, but our future feels a damn sight safer

Bluebellwood129 · 02/07/2025 22:37

HauntedMarshmallow · 02/07/2025 22:35

Keir is very chilled out. He’s not in politics for his own self aggrandisement like Boris and the like. Apart from Daily Mail readers, he low key popular with the general public.

He was actually elected unlike several past PMs so it’s not a case of needing to call a GE to prove himself.

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Starmer is the very opposite of chilled. He looks terrified most of the time. He's woefully out of his depth as PM but is too arrogant to admit he's lost the confidence of his party and of the country. He's deeply unpopular with the public.

bluewanda · 02/07/2025 22:36

Hotflushesandchilblains · 02/07/2025 22:20

Oh, I heard something really interesting about this - how a lot of his weird look is to disguise how elderly he would look otherwise - like the orange tan and weird hair colour are a means to an end, and his suits are built up to disguise how frail he can look.

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I don’t know - he’s always been orange with weird blond hair. But facially he doesn’t look old beyond his years or like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, despite being the most powerful person on the planet.

Bologneselove · 02/07/2025 22:35

CircusofPuffins · 02/07/2025 20:08

Whatever the truth, she does look shocking. The eyebags look like someone who has not slept more than a couple of hours for weeks.

I genuinely have no idea why people aspire to hold these important positions in politics. By the time it's all over, they all look a shell of their former selves, thoroughly worn out and broken down. Who wants to put themselves through that?!

I agree,it’s not worth it. She’s not been in her role that long but it’s aged her so much. She looks terrible.

Snapespeare · 02/07/2025 22:35

DreamingofTimbuktuagain · 02/07/2025 21:42

Surely a teacher is a profession? Her parents likely went to University to qualify as teachers. Yes she’s under pressure but I don’t think coming from a working class background is part of it.

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I don't want to completely derail this and I do want to correct myself a little as I've googled a bit further - Dad was a teacher, Mum was a social worker - you didn't need degrees to do either in the 1970's - I also don't want to drag myself down and internet rabbit hole attempting to research her mum and Dad (so I won't ..)

They are - of course - both professions - but the social status of Primary teacher and social worker in the 70's is arguably not quite up there with lawyers and Doctors (respect due, both tough jobs)
Reeves when to a comprehensive in Lewisham.

My point is the unhelpful stereotype attached to her background - the same as Rayner, 'thick', 'common' 'ideas above her station', 'out of her depth'.

I internet-rabbit-holed just a little. Only three chancellor's before RR were state school educated. Denis Healey, Gordon Brown and Philip Hammond. This is part of 'Rachel-from-accounts' Not only minimised because of her sex, but also her state school education..

HauntedMarshmallow · 02/07/2025 22:35

Bluebellwood129 · 02/07/2025 22:27

I think it's very clear Starmer is also fighting for survival tonight.

Show quote history

Keir is very chilled out. He’s not in politics for his own self aggrandisement like Boris and the like. Apart from Daily Mail readers, he low key popular with the general public.

He was actually elected unlike several past PMs so it’s not a case of needing to call a GE to prove himself.