RACHEL Reeves has been slammed for “staggering hypocrisy” after an old tweet resurfaced in which she railed against cutting government spending.
It comes after the Labour Chancellor announced last month that she was scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners, as well as plans for social care reform and road, rail and hospital investment.
But in the unearthed tweet from 2020, Reeves takes aim at Tory austerity.
In the accompanying clip (below), Reeves said to MPs in the House of Commons: “The truth is that if you stunt growth by cutting government spending, by discouraging businesses from investing and allowing productivity to stagnate, you choke off the growth that we need to raise living standards.
Staggering hypocrisy as she now implements precisely the strategy she criticised so eagerly in opposition. An utter disgrace. https://t.co/MQuRQmbtTf
— Dave Doogan MP (@DaveDooganSNP) August 29, 2024
SNP MP Dave Doogan highlighted the tweet, and called out Reeves for currently implementing “precisely the strategy she criticised so eagerly in opposition”.
He added: “An utter disgrace.”
It comes after a separate clip (below) was also unearthed on Wednesday showing Reeves – ten years ago and firmly on the opposition benches – arguing for the Winter Fuel Payment to be cut back.
Rachel Reeves has repeatedly said she didn't want to cut the universal winter fuel allowance for pensioners but it was a tough decision forced on her because of the financial black hole left by the last govt Here's Reeves 10 years ago: pic.twitter.com/1BAIL4racv
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) August 28, 2024
In a video shared on social media by Saul Staniforth, Reeves said: “We are the party who have said that we would cut the winter fuel allowance for the richest pensioners.
“We're the party that said we would means-test that benefit to save money, something which on the other side of the house you haven't supported.
“So the reality is we're the party who are willing to take tough decisions.”
