Yvette Cooper has quashed rumours that Rachel Reeves was sidelined in the recent Number 10 shake-up. After Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle, which saw Darren Jones move to a key role as chief secretary to the Prime Minister, speculation buzzed around whether Reeves still held the same influence. Sir Keir also welcomed Baroness Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser and Dan York-Smith as principal private secretary, signalling a boost to Number 10’s economic strength ahead of the upcoming budget.
But Cooper is having none of the gossip! Speaking on Sky News, she passionately defended Reeves, stating that the Chancellor and Prime Minister are tighter than ever.
“Quite the reverse!” Cooper exclaimed. “They’ve always worked extremely closely together.”
As the government embarks on its “second phase,” with a focus on delivery, the coming weeks will see intense preparations for the autumn budget. Reeves faces the challenge of possibly introducing tax hikes or spending cuts, aiming to balance spending and receipts by 2029-30.
Amidst all this, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch couldn’t resist a jab, likening the shake-up to “shifting deckchairs on the Titanic.” She said, “I don’t think it’s going to make any difference.”
What do you think of the new team dynamics in Number 10? Is it all just political posturing, or can we expect significant changes? Join the conversation in the comments below!