Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hit back at critics using a “misogynistic and deeply unprofessional” nickname, insisting that her entire life has been spent “proving people wrong”.
Reeves – who critics have dubbed “Rachel from accounts” – admitted she’s “probably been called worse things”.
“In the end, people are going to judge me on the job that I’m doing now, that I’m doing as Chancellor of the Exchequer,” she told Sky News.
Several of her colleagues have come out in Reeves’s defence, including Labour MP Peter Prinsley.
He said: “It’s a disgrace that members of the opposition have been referring to the Chancellor of the Exchequer as ‘Rachel from accounts’,” claiming that it was “misogynistic and deeply unprofessional.”
The nickname originally came from accusations that Reeves had lied on her CV, although she has rejected such allegations.
Downing Street had gone so far as to say that the Chancellor had “restored financial stability”.
Increased borrowing has posed a threat to her economic plans, while top bosses in business have spoken out against Labour’s eagerness for April’s tax rises.
Her very position in the Cabinet has recently come under fire as business confidence in Labour’s Government plummets to its lowest point since the pandemic.
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The Prime Minister is now in “complete agreement” with Rachel Reeves on Heathrow’s third runway
PA
The Prime Minister is now in “complete agreement” with Rachel Reeves on Heathrow’s third runway to boost Britain’s economy – according to a Whitehall source.
Over recent days, she has attempted to stifle bitter opposition within her Cabinet by warning ministers that they must fall in line and that the issue will be bound by “full collective ministerial responsibility”.
Just yesterday, Reeves indicated that the plans would be backed by the Government, explaining that “sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand in hand”.
The Chancellor will deliver a major speech to give the go-ahead to London Heathrow’s expansion plans this week.
Reeves accused of ‘playing with fire’ as she ‘plots’ to return Britain to EU through customs deal
The Labour Chancellor has come under fire for bringing Britain back into the EU via the backdoor with a new European customs deal.
Reeves has indicated that Labour would consider slapping the UK’s name on a tariff-free trading scheme – the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) – something that she would be “absolutely happy” to think about.
However, Conservative and Labour politicians alike have criticised her actions, warning that she is indeed “playing with fire” as her actions will amount to a backtrack on Brexit.