Rachel Reeves has branded her critics “misogynists” in a last-ditch rallying cry to Labour MPs before her Budget.
The Chancellor told MPs last night they must unite behind her so-called “nightmare before Christmas” statement.
Ms Reeves vowed to not let her critics “beat” her and stressed she would still have her job in 2027.
However, the Chancellor did not mention staying in No11 in either 2028 or 2029.
She also labelled pre-Budget media leaks “incredibly destabilising” to her plans to hike £30billion in taxes and fill her “black hole”.
The Chancellor defiantly told Labour MPs: “I’ll show the media, I’ll show the Tories. I will not let them beat me. I’ll be there on Wednesday, I’ll be there next year, and I’ll be back the year after that.”
Ms Reeves then turned her fire on “armchair” critics who dared question her ability to do the job.
“I don’t think even I had recognised the misogyny that still exists in public life,” Ms Reeves said.
The comments have faced widespread criticism. Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Sir James Cleverly told GB News that, while there is an “aggression and threats of sexual violence directed at women that men don’t get,” Ms Reeves is still to blame for “appalling” Budget management.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Karin Smyth told GB News that Ms Reeves has had the “challenge” of being a woman her whole life.
“She’s really focused on doing a great job, and she wants to be that great chancellor,” she said.
MPs must stick together to prove to the public that Labour deserved a second term in power, she added.
“A budget involves choices. Choices are things that we do, and also things that we don’t do. I hope that you like every single measure, but you might not,” Ms Reeves continued.
“There might be 99 per cent or 95 per cent that you like, but one or five per cent that you don’t. The budget is a package. It’s not a pick and mix.”
Ms Reeves is attempting to fill a reported “black hole” estimated at up to £30billion.
And while the hated freeze on tax thresholds is set to be kept in place for another two years, the so-called “stealth raid” will raise billions of pounds by dragging millions of people deeper into the tax system.
A new “mansion tax” is expected to be introduced, while the Chancellor is said to be targeting a £3billion raid on workplace pensions, along with a “taxi tax” and new gambling taxes.
