Andrew Neil has made a stark prediction regarding the political future of Labour’s Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, suggesting she is “on her last legs” and that Sir Keir Starmer may soon face similar challenges. The seasoned broadcaster voiced his concerns in a recent column for the Daily Mail, following allegations that Reeves misled the public about the upcoming Budget announcement. The criticism comes as Reeves prepares to present her fiscal plans on November 26, which are expected to include significant tax increases.
Neil accused Reeves of engaging in “serial gaslighting of the British people” as she painted a bleak economic picture ahead of her statement. He pointed out that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had issued a forecast over a month earlier, indicating that the government was actually in a surplus position. This discrepancy has raised questions about the validity of her claims regarding the need for tax hikes.
In his column, Neil stated, “Taxes are going up not because of Brexit, Ukraine, Trump, poor productivity or the tooth fairy running away with the magic money tree at the end of the Downing Street gardens.” He emphasized that the increases stem from deliberate policy decisions by the Labour party, which he accused of abandoning welfare reforms and opting to tax working individuals to fund welfare benefits—a move he claims is driven by pressure from Labour backbenchers.
Neil further remarked on Reeves’s attempts to deflect criticism, stating, “Forensic questions about her deceptions are batted away with a long, self-serving exegesis about child poverty.” He likened her transformation from “Iron Chancellor to Mother Teresa of the Treasury” as ineffective, predicting that her arguments would not resonate with the public or save her position.
As the political atmosphere intensifies, the Conservative Party has taken action by writing to the Financial Conduct Authority to request an investigation into Reeves’s handling of the Budget. Additionally, the political party Reform UK has called for a sleaze investigation.
In response to the mounting pressure, Reeves defended her approach during media interviews, asserting that she “of course” did not lie to the public. She stated, “Anyone who thinks that there was no repair job to be done on the public finances, I just don’t accept that.” Reeves emphasized her commitment to enhancing economic resilience and supporting families through investments in the National Health Service and reducing household bills.
The unfolding situation highlights the complexities of the current economic climate in the UK and the challenges facing the Labour leadership as they navigate public perception and fiscal responsibility. The outcome of Reeves’s upcoming Budget statement could significantly impact her political future and that of her party.
