Moments before Rachel Reeves commenced her Budget speech, the House of Commons chamber was buzzing with activity. The Chancellor’s aides were passing notes to her, and they were showing her information on their phone screens.
In the gallery above, one of Reeves’ advisors was seen holding an iPhone in each hand, appearing to be texting on both devices simultaneously. Meanwhile, the Office for Budget Responsibility had accidentally released their analysis of the Budget half an hour earlier, disclosing all the figures.
This unexpected turn of events played into the hands of Kemi Badenoch, whose advisor seemed energized as she prepared for PMQs. Badenoch criticized the chaotic lead-up to the Budget, drawing reactions from the audience, particularly Kwasi Kwarteng.
Responding to the Budget, Reeves’ delivery was initially disrupted by the noise, but she regained composure. She clarified that the leaked numbers were not her or the Government’s fault and emphasized the need to move forward.
Although the premature release of budget information is a serious matter with market implications, Reeves and her team focused on the narrative surrounding the numbers. She repeatedly highlighted that the Budget reflected Labour’s choices and underscored the importance of storytelling.
Reeves’ storytelling peaked when she announced the removal of the two-child benefit limit, condemning the previous government’s policies. Despite the chaos and distractions, she successfully conveyed a narrative of positive change as a Labour politician in government.
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