On the first floor of Portcullis House a painting of Rachel Reeves has appeared. Next to one of Elizabeth II…
By Sally Ward and painted this year, the accompanying plaque has the following to say:
“Rachel Reeves (born 1979) is the first woman to hold the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. This informal portrait captures her ahead of delivering her first budget in October 2024. It is based on a photographic reference image by Simon Dawson. Reeves is shown in Downing Street, rehearsing with her advisors ahead of leaving for Parliament. The iconic red box sits behind her, the speech in front.
This portrait was purchased by the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art as part of a collaboration with the Society of Women Artists to mark the Society’s 170th anniversary in 2026. Sally Ward’s portrait was selected for the Parliamentary Art Collection from a call to society members. The call sought works to mark women’s achievement in the last 170 years, focused on the great strides made in parliament within this time.
This collaboration is a part of the Committee’s commitment to celebrate diversity in the Parliamentary Art Collection. Reeves has commented, ‘I hope this portrait serves as a reminder to every young woman and girl across the country that there should be no ceiling on their ambition.’“
A passing Tory staffer said: “It is bloody disgrace that this total abject failure of a Chancellor has managed to get her portrait up while she’s still making a total mess of office… next to our most beloved monarch no less! Rachel Reeves won’t be remembered for being our first female Chancellor, if she’s remembered at all it will be as one of the worst Chancellors we’ve ever had.” Burnham hasn’t even kicked her out yet…
Badenoch said at her speech on Monday morning: “We are absolutely ready to fight a general election. We saw the results in Aberdeen South: 50% of the vote. Because we can unite the country… It’s about uniting the country, for God’s sake, behind a centre-right agenda.”