Labour MPs have issued warnings that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been left feeling distinctly 'sidelined' following her unexpected removal from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's upcoming diplomatic mission to China. The Chancellor had been widely anticipated to join Sir Keir on what has been billed as a 'historic' visit to Beijing this week, given her leading governmental role in advocating for stronger trade connections with the Chinese capital.
Last-Minute Replacement Sparks Westminster Speculation
In a surprising eleventh-hour decision, Ms Reeves was dropped from the delegation and replaced by her more junior Treasury colleague, Lucy Rigby. This abrupt change has immediately triggered intense speculation within the corridors of Westminster about a potential and growing rift between the Prime Minister and his Chancellor. The speculation is further inflamed by a series of recent, embarrassing government U-turns that have been linked directly to decisions emanating from the Treasury.
Conflicting Accounts Behind the Decision
One Labour MP close to the situation claimed that Ms Reeves was genuinely 'upset' by the Prime Minister's decision. The MP elaborated, stating, 'She did a lot of the groundwork to make this trip a reality, and now she finds herself left behind. In such circumstances, it is incredibly difficult not to interpret this as being sidelined.'
However, an alternative narrative has been suggested by another Labour insider. This source indicated that the Chancellor was specifically requested to remain in the United Kingdom to help stabilise the political situation. This follows Sir Keir's highly controversial weekend decision to block Andy Burnham's attempted return to Parliament, a move that has ignited a fresh civil war within the Labour Party. 'The political atmosphere is so febrile and volatile right now that it seems unwise to risk having both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor out of the country simultaneously for an entire week,' the source explained.
Treasury's Official Stance on the Delegation
Official sources from the Treasury have moved to counter the narrative of a snub, insisting that the late decision to send Ms Rigby was purely logistical. They emphasise that it reflects her specific portfolio as City Minister and the trip's pronounced focus on improving market access and fostering opportunities for the UK's financial services sector.
Nevertheless, the choice to send a relatively junior minister on a visit the Prime Minister himself has proudly described as 'history making' has raised considerable eyebrows among political observers. Sir Keir will be accompanied only by Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who is recognised as a longstanding and trusted ally of the Prime Minister, further highlighting Ms Reeves's conspicuous absence.
Reeves's Central Role in China Policy
The Labour government's concerted push for closer economic ties with China has been largely driven by Chancellor Reeves. This strategy forms a key part of her search for viable methods to stimulate economic growth, following the political fallout from two contentious, tax-raising Budgets. The Treasury has been actively working to dismantle trade barriers with Beijing and to encourage greater Chinese investment into the United Kingdom.
Ms Reeves's commitment to this relationship is well-documented. In January of last year, she became the first senior Labour minister to visit China post-election, stating her intention to 'explore deeper economic co-operation' with the communist superpower. She has subsequently spent many months collaborating closely with Sir Keir on the intricate planning for this very visit. As recently as last week, she discussed the trip with her Chinese counterpart, He Lifeng, during the World Economic Forum summit in Davos.
Denials and Deepening Political Tensions
A Treasury source has firmly denied any suggestion that the Prime Minister is deliberately sidelining Ms Reeves. 'The decision was purely practical. As the final schedule was confirmed, it was determined that the City Minister would be the most appropriate person to accompany the delegation, given its strong financial services focus,' the source stated.
Despite these official assurances, the apparent snub is certain to fuel ongoing speculation that the once-close relationship between the Prime Minister and his Chancellor has deteriorated. The Treasury has faced significant blame for a catalogue of botched policy decisions that have forced the government into humiliating retreats. These U-turns include plans affecting pensioners' winter fuel payments, proposed cuts to disability benefits, and, most recently, punishing increases in business rates for pubs and other hospitality sector firms.
Future of the Chancellor's Role
While Downing Street continues to insist that the pair work together 'hand in glove', a growing number of Labour MPs are sceptical. Some believe the Prime Minister is quietly preparing to sack Ms Reeves if the upcoming local elections in May prove to be as disastrous for Labour as current polling predicts. 'Someone's head is going to have to roll if the results are bad, and the Prime Minister is absolutely determined that it will not be his own,' one MP remarked ominously.
