Rachel Reeves urges Labour MPs to unite behind the Budget

Rachel Reeves has vowed to remain chancellor for years to come and called on Labor MPs to unite behind her Budget.

Speaking at a meeting of the Labor Parliamentary Party on Monday evening, Reeves warned MPs they must “stay together” if they want to win the next election.

The budget, which is expected to include tax increases, will be announced on Wednesday after weeks of speculation.

Reeves said he thought Labor MPs would like 90-95 per cent of the spending plan, but warned they would also need to accept tougher measures: “This is a takeaway, not pick-and-mix. You can’t say you like Coke bottles but you don’t like fruit salad.”

“It all comes together and holds together as a whole.”

He said his three priorities would be: “Reducing the cost of living, shortening NHS waiting lists and reducing the cost of debt.”

After the meeting, one Labor MP said the chancellor was “strong and honest”, while another said the demand for unity appeared “desperate”.

In the year since the last Budget, Labor MPs have become increasingly critical of Reeves’ decisions.

The Chancellor was forced to U-turn on some policies, including cutting winter fuel payments.

There were also concerns in the party about suggestions that it would use this Budget to increase income tax rates; This was a move that would not fulfill the promise made in the party’s election manifesto.

The government now appears to have backed down from this proposal.