'Will There Be Further Betrayals?' BBC Host Corners Minister Over Labour's Broken Pledges

Naga Munchetty and Ellie Reeves on BBC BreakfastBBC presenter Naga Munchetty put the Labour Party chair on the spot this morning after the government’s devastating loss in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.Keir Starmer’s party won a 14,696 majority in that same seat last July, but Reform UK overturned it on Thursday and won the election by six votes.It comes after senior Labour minister Ellie Reeves all-but conceded defeat earlier this week, when she told HuffPost UK the Tories had “gifted” the Runcorn by-election to Reform by not campaigning.And on Friday, BBC Breakfast host Munchetty reminded Reeves just how Labour’s controversial policies – like welfare cuts and keeping the two-child benefit cap – have been unpopular with the public. She said: “Decisions you have made, such as cutting winter fuel [allowances], which went against what people thought you were doing, which is now affecting people’s trust – Labour voters’ trust – in the party.”Reeves said “tough decisions” were necessary when they first got into office, adding: “We are impatient for change, we know the public are impatient for change, and that is what we are getting on with and delivering.” Munchetty said: “One thing that Labour candidates have been hearing from Labour voters on the doorstep is [they] feel betrayed. When you say you’re going to do more, will there be further betrayals?”“We are getting those waiting lists down by investing in our NHS, but we know they need to come down further. But we are beginning to fix it,” Reeves said.“We know people want to feel better off, more money in their pockets, that’s why we’ve increased the national minimum wage. Interest rates have gone down three times since the election, meaning people are paying less on their mortgages and on their rents.“Wages are rising faster than prices for the first time in a long time –”But Munchetty cut in: “If it’s that good, if there is this evidence, and Labour is making a difference and its message is clear that it is doing things to make a difference, why are those voters in Runcorn and Helsby not buying into that?”She added: “Reform is offering something you’re not offering. What is it?”“Change takes time,” Reeves replied. “We know people aren’t feeling the full effects of that yet, we want to go further and faster.”Munchetty cut in again by pointing out that Reform only has five MPs, while Labour has the majority in the Commons – and therefore a larger voice.The presenter asked: “Are you saying Reform has been better with its messaging and that people have believes that, but people will soon find out that what Reform have been saying will not be tangible?”Reeves pointed out that Farage once hailed Liz Truss’s mini-budget as one of the “greatest Conservative budgets”.She also suggested it’s not clear if there is an electoral pact between Reform and the Tories, and said they need to “come clean about those back room deals” – although both parties have denied working together.Ellie Reeves: "We know we need to do more..."Naga Munchetty: "When you say you need to do more, one thing that Labour candidates have been hearing from Lab voters on the doorstep is [they] feel betrayed. When you say you need to do more, will there be further betrayals?" pic.twitter.com/mF37ELHAzI— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) May 2, 2025Related...Local Elections: Labour Infighting Begins As MPs Cast Blame For Poor PerformanceSavage Blow For Keir Starmer As Reform Stun Labour To Win Runcorn By-ElectionVictorious Labour Mayor Tells Keir Starmer To Start Listening To Voters As Reform Support Soars

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