But it has also fuelled speculation that the prime minister could soon be forced to reshuffle his cabinet, with question marks over whether Rachel Reeves can survive as chancellor. They warned that voters across the UK had told the Labour Party “loudly and clearly that we have not met their expectations”. The red wall is made up of areas in the Midlands and northern England which have typically supported the Labour Party. But cabinet ministers acknowledged the winter fuel payment decision had hit the party at the ballot box. I think the prime minister himself has said that, and we’re not sugar-coating those results; they’re very challenging for us.”

Source: The Times May 08, 2025 04:05 UTC