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Rachel Reeves has urged Labour MPs to unite behind her Budget as she vowed to stay on as chancellor in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
Speaking to a meeting of Labour’s Parliamentary Party on Monday evening, Reeves warned MPs they must “stick together” if they wanted to win the next election. <\/p>\n
The Budget, which is expected to contain tax rises, will be delivered on Wednesday following weeks of speculation.<\/p>\n
Reeves said she thought Labour MPs would like 90-95% of her spending plan but warned they would have to accept the tougher measures as well saying: “It’s a package, not a pick-and-mix. You can’t say you like the cola bottles but you don’t like the fruit salad.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“It all comes together and hangs together as a whole.”<\/p>\n
She said her three priorities would be: “Cutting the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and cutting the cost of debt.”<\/p>\n
Following the meeting, one Labour MP said the chancellor had been “strong and honest” but another said her pleas for unity had sounded “desperate”. <\/p>\n
In the year since the last Budget, Labour MPs have become increasingly critical of Reeves’ judgement.<\/p>\n
The Chancellor has been forced to make U-turns on some policies, including cutting the winter fuel payment.<\/p>\n
There had also been concerns in the party about suggestions she would use this Budget to raise income tax rates, a move that would have broken the party’s election manifesto promise. <\/p>\n
The government now appears to have stepped back from that proposal. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n