Exclusive: Ellie Reeves Reveals How Her Sister Was Always Destined To Be Chancellor

Ellie Reeves and her sister, chancellor Rachel Reeves, at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool last year. Even at a young age, Rachel Reeves was already showing that she had the makings of a future Chancellor of the Exchequer.“I know more than most people she is someone who is really sensible when it comes to money,” says her sister – and Labour Party chair – Ellie as we sit in her House of Commons office.“She’d always save a little bit of her pocket money. I’d normally spend it all in one go.”Ellie Reeves, who is also minister without portfolio in Keir Starmer’s government, is clearly proud of the job her sister is doing, despite the criticism she has received since entering 11 Downing Street last July.“Rachel has inherited a really really really difficult job,” she says. “She came into office and opened the books. We knew it was going to be difficult but not the full extent of it. It’s an incredibly challenging and difficult job.“I would say this, but I think she’s doing a great job in very challenging circumstances. She’s just not going to play fast and loose with the country’s finances.”Reeves sat down with HuffPost UK ahead of Thursday’s local elections, when millions of voters across England will go to the polls to elect new councillors, mayors and, in Runcorn and Helsby, a new MP.All the indications are that Labour is in for, in the words of one No.10 insider, “a battering”.The initial story on the night is likely to be the huge losses suffered by the Tories, but there will be little comfort for the government in the results either.Reform UK are set to make major gains, primarily in what has traditionally been seen as Labour territory in the North and the Midlands. “She’d always save a little bit of her pocket money. I’d normally spend it all in one go.” But Reeves insists out that the demography of the council seats up for grabs means they are not fertile Labour territory.She says: “The Tories hold the majority of the councils. This set of elections is the worst for Labour because they are in the shire counties, so we wouldn’t expect to do well.”This may be true, but it will be disgruntled voters’ willingness to turn to Reform UK, rather than Labour, that will be worry 10 Downing Street most come Friday morning.The four mayoral elections are unlikely to provide much comfort for the Labour Party either.Former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns is nailed on to win for Reform in Greater Lincolnshire, while the right-wing party are also favourites to seize Hull and East Yorkshire.Reeves says changes to the voting system could cost Labour the mayoralty in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.″The last time it was on preferential vote and we won it on the second round,” she explains. “In the first round we lost it to the Tories. So on a first past the post system, it’s actually not a Labour hold. We’ll see what happens there but ultimately, although the mayor is Labour, it’s not a Labour hold under this voting system.”The polls suggest Farage will be smiling on Friday morning.The West of England mayoral election, Reeves says, is taking place against “a difficult backdrop” for Labour, which may well be the understatement of the year.The Labour incumbent, Dan Norris MP, was arrested earlier this month was arrested on suspicion of rape, child sex offences, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. He has since been kicked out of the party.Reeves says it will be “a fight between Labour and the Tories”, although a YouGov poll last week showed the Greens in poll position.The most significant result of the night, however, could come in Runcorn and Helsby, where Reform appear on course to overturn Labour’s near-15,000 majority.Reeves even appears to concede defeat by accusing the Tories of “gifting” the seat to Nigel Farage’s party by essentially packing up and going home.Ellie Reeves during last year's general election campaign.Labour’s chances of victory are not helped, of course, by the fact that the by-election is only taking place because the former MP, Mike Amesbury, was convicted of punching a voter.“We’re fighting for every vote, again in difficult circumstances,” Reeves admits.She then adds: “The Tories aren’t doing anything. Esther McVey basically said the Tories should sit it out and let Reform win, and we’re seeing that on the ground.“They’re not doing any work on the ground at all, it looks like they’re just gifting it to Reform. They’re not fighting, which is quite extraordinary.”Asked if this backs up Labour’s repeated claims that the Conservatives and Reform will cook up some sort of pact come the next general election, Reeves says: “It does look like it’s going that way.“There is a bit of an issue at these elections about what people are voting for. If you’re voting Reform are you getting Conservative and if you’re voting Conservative are you getting Reform?”Labour’s attacks on Farage’s past comments on replacing the NHS with a French-style private insurance model, as well as his admiration for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, appear to be having little impact.A More in Common poll last week said that if an election was held tomorrow, Reform UK would be the largest party, with Labour neck-and-neck with the Tories.But Reeves insists that Labour’s message is getting through to voters.“I was up in Runcorn a week ago and Farage’s comments about moving the NHS to an insurance based system was quoted back at me by someone who was going to be going out to try and stop Reform from winning,” she says.Asked why voters already appear to have fallen out of love with Labour, less than a year after the party’s landslide victory, the party’s chair asks voters to have patience that things will eventually come good.“People overwhelmingly voted for change and they’re keen to see change delivered and that’s what we’re getting on and doing,” Reeves says.“Change doesn’t happen overnight and we inherited an absolute mess and there was an element of needing to fix the foundations and then get on and deliver for people. “The proof points are that NHS waiting lists are down, breakfast clubs are being rolled, there’s been a pay rise for three million workers through the increase in the national minimum wage and we’re bringing investment into the country, like the Universal Studios theme park.“Ultimately, come the next election, people will be thinking have I got more money in my pocket and do they think that things are working. Ultimately that’s what we’ll be judged on.”Long before then, however, there will be the small matter of a second state visit to the UK by Donald Trump – an honour bestowed on him by a government desperate to keep in his good books.It’s all a far cry from his last visit, when Labour were in opposition and Reeves condemned the president’s “blatant disregard for freedom, tolerance and respect for human rights”.She published her thoughts on Twitter (as it was still called back then) complete with a picture of the infamous “Trump baby”.Trump’s blatant disregard for freedom, tolerance and respect for human rights runs counter to the values that our special relationship with the U.S. is built upon. Today the British public rightfully protests against Trump’s dangerous brand of politics. #TrumpUKVisitpic.twitter.com/DFR75lz0Xz— Ellie Reeves (@elliereeves) July 13, 2018It’s safe to say she won’t be doing the same this time around, although she appears to have no regrets about what she said in the past.“I remember the Trump baby very well,” she says. “My eldest was in the parliament nursery at the time and they could see the Trump baby from the window and all the kids were going crazy. He’s 10 now and he still talks about the Trump baby.“When was that? 2018? It feels like a long time ago now. We were in opposition, the Labour Party was a very different place. “We’re a serious government, the US is one of our biggest trading partners, we do have a special relationship with them and I welcome that and the constructive conversations that Keir had at the White House a few weeks ago.“It’s important that we maintain that mature and sensible relationship. So there probably won’t be any tweets from me.”Related...Exclusive: Ministers Accused Of 'Dog Whistle Politics' Over Plan To Publish Nationalities Of Foreign CriminalsExclusive: Senior Labour Minister Accuses Tories Of 'Gifting' Crunch By-Election To Reform UKExclusive: Rachel Reeves Insists She Will Not Put Up Income Tax, VAT Or National InsuranceRachel Reeves On Her ‘Weird’ Life As Chancellor, Welfare Cuts – And That Sabrina Carpenter Row

Comments

Breaking news

Appeal after crowd gathering descends into disorder in Helensburgh

I know where Amelia Earhart is after tracing bombshell picture... we're off to the island to prove my sickening crab theory

about 3 hours ago

Girl, 3, died from Strep A after medics in 'overwhelmingly busy' hospital told her mum that she likely had viral infection

about 3 hours ago

British passengers scramble to get home after mass blackouts plunge Spain and Portugal into darkness

about 3 hours ago

Georgia Toffolo reveals shock contents of her shared bank account with millionaire husband James Watt amid 'gold digger' accusations

about 3 hours ago

Mystery as Britain hit by unexplained power outages hours before Spain and Portugal blackout

about 3 hours ago

M&S cyber attack is linked to gang of teenage hackers called 'Scattered Spider' who also targeted casino giant MGM

about 3 hours ago

Wild conspiracy theories flood the internet after Spanish power blackout as sleuths blame alien attack, chem trails and US EMP strikes

about 3 hours ago

'Gangster grandpa', 72, who robbed Kim Kardashian at gunpoint and then wrote a 'boastful and mocking' book about the terrifying raid tells French court 'I regret what I did'

about 3 hours ago

I survived bird flu - this is what it's like: My whole skull was THROBBING

about 3 hours ago

Comments

Similar News

Nolte: Exclusive -- 71% Believe Media Rig Polls to Fit Political Agenda

Exclusive—Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Treating English as a Backseat Language Jeopardizes Roadway Safety

Exclusive: Senior Labour Minister Accuses Tories Of 'Gifting' Crunch By-Election To Reform UK

Exclusive -- Gorka: A Hundred Days of Killing Jihadis

Exclusive -- Inside the Oval Office and Situation Room: Gorka Details Trump’s Successful ‘We Will Find You, We Will Kill You’ Strike on ISIS Recruiter in First Two Weeks

Inside super thin 6ft-wide townhouse in exclusive London neighbourhood as it goes on the market for £1.1 MILLION

Exclusive -- Founder of Spain’s Vox Party: ‘Window of Opportunity’ Is Now to Topple Iran's ‘Killing Machine'

Exclusive: Trump to Sign Order Ensuring Truckers Speak English

Exclusive -- Shocking Data Suggests Abortion Pill Complications 22 Times Higher Than Previously Reported: ‘FDA Must Reinstate Stronger Safeguards’

Exclusive -- Rod Blagojevich on Running for Senate as MAGA Republican: 'Never Say Never'

Exclusive — Rod Blagojevich: Democrats Are 'Going to Run Far to the Left'

Exclusive: Rep. Derrick Van Orden — 'Constitutional Crisis' Looms over Rogue Judges

Exclusive -- Rep. Derrick Van Orden: We're 'Rapidly Closing in on a Very Serious Constitutional Crisis' as Courts Block Progress

Exclusive -- Rep. Derrick Van Orden Defends Military Standards: 'Geared to Keep People Who Don't Belong in Ground Combat' Out of It

Google Antitrust Trial: Perplexity AI Exec Testifies Internet Giant Still Uses Exclusivity Deals to Beat Competition

Exclusive — Rep. Mary Miller on Farmers and Tariffs: 'We Have Been Taken Advantage on the World Stage'

Exclusive -- DOT Sec. Duffy Warns Blue States: Comply with Trump Orders or Lose Transportation Funding

Exclusive--Trump to Sign Orders to Block DEI-Based School Discipline

Dobbies’ Sandyholm store launches new and exclusive heritage planting and afternoon tea experience

Dobbies’ Livingston store launches new and exclusive heritage planting and afternoon tea experience

Breaking news

Appeal after crowd gathering descends into disorder in Helensburgh

Appeal bid for ‘coffee stops’ on Scotland-England border rejected

Barry Didcock's Film review: Make It To Munich

Famous anti-piracy advert ‘used pirated font’

Power outages across Spain and Portugal affected millions. How to prepare for a major blackout

Is the punishment for cursing in F1 too harsh? Racing boss hints at changes after driver backlash

Inside 12 hours of chaos in Spain during an unprecedented power blackout

Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits

Watch live: Adolescence creator Jack Thorne addresses parliament on misogyny among young men and boys

Middle East latest: Israeli families appeal for return of loved ones' remains from Gaza

White House rips ‘hostile and political’ move by Bezos’ Amazon to display how much costs are for tariffs

Who is Angelo Becciu? Disgraced cardinal withdraws from papal conclave

We have persuaded France to change rules to stop migrants reaching Britain, Cooper says

Large fires are burning on the slopes of South Africa's famous Table Mountain

Danish king arrives in Greenland as Trump eyes strategic Arctic island

Crossbow attacker dies 'of self-inflicted wound' in hospital after Leeds rampage

Larkhall residents asked to share views in community survey

Man arrested over death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson released without charge 18 months on

Lidl looks to open store in Linlithgow as it announces £500 million investment

Scots holidaymakers 'forced to sleep on airport floor' after being 'stranded' by Ryanair

Fireworks thrown at house in Scots street as police condemn 'unacceptable disorder' by gathering crowd

The Alarm frontman has died

Man appears in court on murder charge after death on Kilmarnock street

Hot spell to intensify as 29C forecast for parts of UK

Meghan denies she is still using HRH title

Gaza aid worker detained after Israeli attack has been released

Kremlin accuses UK of providing explosives that killed Putin's top generals in bombings

Cowardly thug stabbed man 22 times before hiding away in city centre hostel

Meghan Markle 'clearly going against Queen's wishes' in yet another agreement breach

What sports like darts can teach Brits about regaining control in life

GP shares 'one thing' you should 'always' do after getting a blood test

Travellers told 'get vaccinated' against 'lethal' illness if visiting one nation

Trump supporters worried about getting 'black mark’ if they attend prestigious event

Inside Sandringham Summit that saw Harry and Meghan given rules as they quit royal life

Place in the Sun Laura Hamilton's emotional life from Womble dad to killer disease and tragedy

Elon Musk warns world is in 'existential crisis' - but people point at huge issue

Top Tech: Giffgaff is dishing out £100 to try its new broadband to rival Sky and Virgin

Norovirus horror as 'dominant' strain sparks mass outbreaks on cruise ships

Lawyer says there's one word liars always use and it's a 'huge giveaway'

Horrifying truth about baby food pouches that contain alarming amounts of nasty ingredient

CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN Canada just humiliated Trump and exposed arrogant America’s decline

Mistake that could land you with £5,000 fine if you break voting rule on Thursday

Kate Middleton beams as she celebrates wedding anniversary on special trip with William

'I moved from Australia to UK - these are the things that gave me culture shock'

Gym brawl erupts as weapons brandished amid shouts of 'you little rat'

'I'm a busy mum but make my own baby food pouches - you don't need to be top chef'

‘Next has a £24 fragrance that smells just as good as my favourite Chanel perfume’

Bird flu warning signs everyone should know as country told to prepare for new pandemic

'We were lovers who lost each other after escaping Auschwitz - we met up decades later'

Top Israeli spymaster dramatically quits over war in huge bust up with Netanyahu

'I live in Spain – here's what we actually did when power went out'

I know where Amelia Earhart is after tracing bombshell picture... we're off to the island to prove my sickening crab theory

Girl, 3, died from Strep A after medics in 'overwhelmingly busy' hospital told her mum that she likely had viral infection

British passengers scramble to get home after mass blackouts plunge Spain and Portugal into darkness

Georgia Toffolo reveals shock contents of her shared bank account with millionaire husband James Watt amid 'gold digger' accusations

Mystery as Britain hit by unexplained power outages hours before Spain and Portugal blackout

M&S cyber attack is linked to gang of teenage hackers called 'Scattered Spider' who also targeted casino giant MGM