A government minister has taken aim at Rachel Reeves for accepting free tickets to see pop star Sabrina Carpenter at London’s O2 Arena.
The chancellor defended her decision, saying she attended with a family member and claimed it was “the right thing to do from a security perspective.” Speaking to the BBC, she explained, “I do now have security, which means it’s not as easy as it would have been in the past to just sit in a concert.”
However, not everyone is buying that excuse.
🏛️ ‘I Don’t Think It’s Appropriate’
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook didn’t hold back when asked about Reeves’ choice. Speaking on LBC, he said he didn’t think it was “appropriate” for politicians to accept free concert tickets.
Pennycook, whose constituency includes the O2, pointed out that he had never accepted free tickets himself. “If I want to go to a concert at the O2, I’ll pay for it,” he said.
When asked why Reeves needed to take hospitality, he remained firm: “Individual MPs make their own decisions, but I personally wouldn’t.”
🎤 A History of Political Freebies
This isn’t the first time free tickets have sparked a political debate.
Last year, a backlash erupted after several senior government figures, including Keir Starmer, accepted hospitality and designer clothing. It led to Prime Minister Starmer voluntarily repaying the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets. In response, the government tightened the rules on ministers accepting gifts and hospitality.
💰 ‘Champagne Lifestyle’ Accusations
The criticism didn’t stop with Pennycook.
Shadow cabinet office minister Mike Wood launched a scathing attack on Reeves, saying:
“This is an extraordinary slap down of the profligate champagne lifestyle Rachel Reeves has been enjoying since becoming chancellor.
“When senior Labour ministers are openly criticising her judgment, then it’s no surprise business and investors are as well.
“The chancellor must kick her addiction to freebies and focus on undoing the damage she’s doing to family finances in her emergency budget tomorrow.”
Reeves, however, has yet to respond.
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