RACHEL Reeves has told leadership challengers to back off insisting that a new Downing Street top team will not “change the reality”.
The Chancellor launched a pre-Budget warning shot while admitting she is not “naive” that the public wants change.
Her intervention comes as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham re-ignited speculation about a move to be PM by refusing to rule out a bid.
Ms Reeves told the FT: “A different leader or a different chancellor is not going to change that reality.
“It’s hard yards and hard work that’s going to change that reality. But I don’t want to be naive, because obviously people are impatient. I am too.”
She admits in the interview that she phones ex-PM Gordon Brown, the only other living Labour Chancellor, when things get tough as she admits she holds a “lonely job”.
When asked if she will be getting the sack after the Budget, she says “No” following u-turns on winter fuel payments and welfare cuts.
But talk of leadership challenges comes after Downing Street sources said the PM would fight any leadership bid which triggered a bitter briefing war with Health Secretary Wes Streeting singled out for being part of a coup.
Mr Burnham was asked whether he would rule out a challenge to Sir Keir, he said: “I am not going to sit here this morning and rule out what might or might not happen because I don’t know what the future will hold.”
The former Labour Cabinet Minister dropped several hints before the Labour party conference in September that he could launch a leadership challenge.
Labour MP Clive Lewis said he was willing to give up his seat to allow Burnham to return to the House of Commons.
