OPINION

       Did Rachel Reeves just shoot Labour in foot or was it strange stroke of genius? (Image: Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

       Was Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Spring Statement a stroke of genius - getting the bad stuff over long before the expected 2029 election - or a gift to Reform UK? Liable to enrage the Labour Left, was the statement a smart move in anticipation that voters will have short memories, or will it irreparably damage Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer as Labour looks set to lose its first by election to Reform?

       With economic growth predictions cut, welfare cuts are in the offing, with the universal credit health elements cut to new claimants by around 50 per cent and then frozen.This might well be Labour's attempt at balancing the books but it won't feel that way in Labour marginals where Reform is breathing down the former's neck. For Nigel Farage, the statement can only strengthen his party's hand in the critical Runcorn by election where Sarah Pochin looks set to become Reform's fifth MP following Rupert Lowe's expulsion.

       Over 700,000 Women Can’t Be Wrong—This Patch Is Changing Lives!Kind Patches| Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Trending

       For Labour, the party may well be making a smart move, banking on the short memories of voters, gaining a reputation for responsible economic management, and getting the economy on track for 2029.

       Yet the move is risky. Labour did not come to power on a promise to ape the Tories, a point not lost on voters flirting with Reform. Worse, the plan may well not work at all.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Keir Starmer's nine-word question to Rachel Reeves revealed by lip reader

       274 Comments

       I watched Rachel Reeves's Budget - one thing stood out like a sore thumb

       447 Comments

       Fury as MPs get ￡2,558 pay rise as Rachel Reeves brings in brutal spending cuts

       81 Comments

       Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'

       37 Comments

       Labour minister Matthew Pennycook slams Rachel Reeves for concert ticket freebie

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow by own party as Labour minister takes brutal swipe at her

       Comments

       Carol Vorderman branded 'delusional' as she gives Spring Statement verdict: 'Cruel!"

       Comments

       Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm

       94 Comments

       Reform unveils Sarah Pochin as by-election candidate for Runcorn and Helsby

       243 Comments

       Nigel Farage named most popular alternative to Keir Starmer as PM in bombshell poll

       146 Comments

       I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say

       97 Comments

       Keir Starmer faces 'mother of all rebellions' as Labour MPs rage over Budget

       18 Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt huge blow as TalkTV star fumes 'they're ripping the streets apart'

       Comments

       Rachel Reeves faces six-month deadline to revive economy or risk losing her job

       109 Comments

       MD: Building Muscle After 50 Comes Down To This 1 ThingApex Labs| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow

       36 Comments

       'Disgrace!' Jeremy Corbyn blasts Labour over benefit cuts as he issues warning

       76 Comments

       Best Cowboy Boots for Line DancingAriat | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage braces for huge test as Keir Starmer also eyes must-win vote

       96 Comments

       Keir Starmer on 'high alert' for resignations as Rachel Reeves' cuts risk Labour civil war

       101 Comments

       Over 700,000 Women Can’t Be Wrong— This Patch Is Changing Lives!Kind Patches| Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer

       401 Comments

       Labour civil war erupts as Rachel Reeves savaged by MPs over welfare cuts

       33 Comments

       Grow Your Nest Egg In Las Vegas With High-APY SavingsNerdWallet| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer's nine-word question to Rachel Reeves revealed by lip reader

       274 Comments

       I watched Rachel Reeves's Budget - one thing stood out like a sore thumb

       447 Comments

       Secure Your Future With A High-Yield Savings AccountNerdWallet| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Fury as MPs get ￡2,558 pay rise as Rachel Reeves brings in brutal spending cuts

       81 Comments

       Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'

       37 Comments

       Solo Electric Vehicles For SaleSearchPad| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Labour minister Matthew Pennycook slams Rachel Reeves for concert ticket freebie

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow by own party as Labour minister takes brutal swipe at her

       Comments

       Here’s How Much A 1-Day Walk In Shower Costs In Las VegasSmart Lifestyle Trends| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Carol Vorderman branded 'delusional' as she gives Spring Statement verdict: 'Cruel!"

       Comments

       Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm

       94 Comments

       Record High CD Rates Have Americans Flying to These Bankssearchalike.com| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Reform unveils Sarah Pochin as by-election candidate for Runcorn and Helsby

       243 Comments

       Nigel Farage named most popular alternative to Keir Starmer as PM in bombshell poll

       146 Comments

       Key Benefits of using a TurboTax Live Full Service tax expertTurboTax| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say

       97 Comments

       Keir Starmer faces 'mother of all rebellions' as Labour MPs rage over Budget

       18 Comments

       Experts Say This Drugstore Wrinkle Cream Is Actually Worth ItBest Of Beauty| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves dealt huge blow as TalkTV star fumes 'they're ripping the streets apart'

       Comments

       Rachel Reeves faces six-month deadline to revive economy or risk losing her job

       109 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow

       36 Comments

       'Disgrace!' Jeremy Corbyn blasts Labour over benefit cuts as he issues warning

       76 Comments

       Nigel Farage braces for huge test as Keir Starmer also eyes must-win vote

       96 Comments

       Keir Starmer on 'high alert' for resignations as Rachel Reeves' cuts risk Labour civil war

       101 Comments

       Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer

       401 Comments

       Labour civil war erupts as Rachel Reeves savaged by MPs over welfare cuts

       33 Comments

       Keir Starmer's nine-word question to Rachel Reeves revealed by lip reader

       274 Comments

       I watched Rachel Reeves's Budget - one thing stood out like a sore thumb

       447 Comments

       Fury as MPs get ￡2,558 pay rise as Rachel Reeves brings in brutal spending cuts

       81 Comments

       Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'

       37 Comments

       Labour minister Matthew Pennycook slams Rachel Reeves for concert ticket freebie

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow by own party as Labour minister takes brutal swipe at her

       Comments

       Carol Vorderman branded 'delusional' as she gives Spring Statement verdict: 'Cruel!"

       Comments

       Doctors Stunned: This Patch Melts Fat While Yo...Kind Patches

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Grow Your Nest Egg In Las Vegas With High-AP...NerdWallet

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Bank Smarter in 2025: Compare High-Yield...NerdWallet

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       A Safer Approach for Fungus-Prone NailsOkita Nail Fungus Light

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       The Labour Left will not take kindly to Sir Keir and Reeves copying - as they see it - from the Conservative playbook, while no amount of book balancing will satisfy those firmly on the populist and patriotic Right.

       Sponsored

       NerdWallet| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Grow Your Nest Egg In Las Vegas With High-APY Savings

       Undo

       Don't miss... 'Rachel Reeves has forgotten UK justice system in spring statement'

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       A Spring Statement designed to demonstrate responsible economic stewardship may gift the Runcorn vote to Reform and weaken Labour's standing in key constituencies while upsetting the increasingly frustrated Labour backbenches.

       One thing is clear however - the biggest loser right now remains a marginalised, impotent and increasingly irrelevant Conservative Party unable to credibly challenge Labour after 14 years of failure, and losing hearts and minds to Reform UK.