Opinion: Rachel Reeves and Romance – Do They Mix?

Labour’s honeymoon phase in politics was cut short by one woman who doesn’t prioritize romance, especially on Valentine’s Day.

Rachel Reeves, along with her husband Nick Joicey, who holds a high-ranking position at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is more focused on serious matters rather than romantic gestures.

In her book “The Women Who Made Modern Economics,” Reeves narrates an incident where instead of a traditional Valentine’s Day celebration, she and her husband opted to watch a Newsnight special on the Swedish banking crisis.

Indeed, thrifty Rachel, who used to hoover up the leftover pastries after shadow cabinet meetings to take home, might also value the cost-saving offered by a night in front of the TV.

That said, any Newsnight economic coverage these days is likely to make for a very uncomfortable viewing.

In her book, The Women Who Made Modern Economics, Reeves (pictured) recalls one ‘date night’ with her husband: ‘Instead of going for a romantic meal out one Valentine’s Day we spent the evening watching a Newsnight special on lessons from the Swedish banking crisis

Indeed, thrifty Rachel, who used to hoover up the leftover pastries after shadow cabinet meetings to take home, might also value the cost-saving offered by a night in front of the TV. Pictured: Husband Nick Joicey

Starmer’s party has become so unpopular among its own supporters, it is now losing one member every ten minutes – with the number down 11 per cent since the election to 309,000 

Maggie’s smartest move

Carol Thatcher recalled her mother’s prudence, speaking at the think tank Policy Exchange to mark the 50th anniversary of her taking on the Tory leadership. 

Fed up with the ‘shabby’ furniture in the No 10 flat, Mrs T decided to swap it with some fittings she found in empty apartments in Admiralty Arch.

‘So without spending any money we have improved the place no end,’ she wrote to her daughter. ‘What my mother did to this country from 1979 to 1990,’ Carol added, to applause.

Carol Thatcher (pictured) recalled her mother’s prudence, speaking at the think tank Policy Exchange to mark the 50th anniversary of her taking on the Tory leadership

Poem of the week: With calls for the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell to follow former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s example and resign, the poet Pam Ayres quips: ‘The bishops are falling like ninepins/ The clergy has gone to the wall/ Once God-like to me/ There now seems to be/ No one in the pulpit at all.’ 

Moneybags Miliband 

Could former Labour leadership hopeful David Miliband be in for a rude shock following President Trump’s decision to slash spending on overseas aid?

In 2023, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) – the US-based charity Miliband now runs – reportedly received £472 million from the US government. 

If the IRC has to make economies, it could start with the ex-foreign secretary’s £983,000 salary, which was topped up last year with a £117,700 bonus. Who said charity begins at home?

In 2023, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) – the US-based charity Ed Miliband (pictured) now runs – reportedly received £472 million from the US government

As Labour insists Sir Keir Starmer broke no lockdown rules seeing voice coach Leonie Mellinger, Reform’s Lee Anderson can’t resist a swipe. 

‘I’ve never had voice coaching lessons,’ he says. ‘Why would I spend thousands to end up speaking like a Dalek?’

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Veteran actor Brian Cox –Succession’s Logan Roy – a one-time Labour voter who now backs the SNP, said of Starmer: ‘He is like a fart in a bath.’ A tepid one, at that.

Veteran actor Brian Cox (pictured) –Succession’s Logan Roy – a one-time Labour voter who now backs the SNP, gave his opinion of Keir Starmer

Labour’s Lord (Dave) Watts, a creature of primitive partisan instincts, scored a rare hat-trick in the Upper House by speaking on three consecutive Parliamentary Questions. 

When he rose to his hind legs for the third time, peers groaned: ‘Not again!’