Brokers' verdicts on House of Commons crying incident
If Rachel Reeves thought she was putting on a brave face when she walked into the House of Commons for this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, then the front covers of the following day’s newspapers will immediately have wiped that thought from the Chancellor’s mind.
Each showed her puffy-eyed, with tears running down her face, looking every bit as miserable as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, sitting opposite, rather unkindly described her in a spat with Sir Keir Starmer over Reeves’ future. A brave face it wasn’t, but it was quite possibly an honest one.
Mystery still surrounds what prompted the Chancellor’s tears, though speculation abounds… She had already been sacked by the PM, she had fallen out with Starmer’s Deputy, Angela Rayner, and she been told off by the Speaker moments before - all wild theories of course, and the official line is that it was a personal matter.
None of this stopped the incident affecting the financial markets adversely – albeit briefly - which does beg the question of whether a Chancellor can show such raw emotion, particularly if it is going to impact the fortunes of the UK, and potentially the mortgage market, of course.
How big a concern is it that the woman in charge of the country’s finances has broken down in tears in public, with the impact that it temporarily had on the markets? Should she remain as Chancellor or could that cause continued uncertainty? Is it appropriate for someone to cry so openly in their workplace?
Mortgage adviser Michelle Lawson (pictured left), director of Lawson Financial, said the reasons behind Reeves’ upset, had a bearing on her position. “If it was work-related and it would affect her position or the markets, as a person - I don't think the gender is relevant - in a highly influential role which was being televised, she should have got herself together first,” Lawson said. “If the matter is personally-related and she was dealt some pretty awful news, there is also an argument of the right time and place, in that she should have been pulled away from the public eye. Showing emotion is not a sign of weakness, although she isn't really held in high regard with the public. I think it is important for people to show their feelings but try to remain professional.”
She continued: “I have been listening to DJ Spoony on BBC Radio 2, who has just got emotional on live radio talking about the death of Diego Jota. To a point, it shows we are all human and vulnerable at some time or another, and it sometimes just can't be helped and can overspill. I don't think Reeves should remain as Chancellor for other reasons, but not for Wednesday’s events solely.”
Being in government is an incredibly difficult, thankless job, points out Gerard Boon (pictured second from left), managing director of Boon Brokers. “It's no surprise that ministers get emotional from time to time,” Boon commented. “In the Chancellor's case, she claims the emotional outburst was in relation to a personal matter. As the outburst seems out of character, I think society should believe her in this instance and hold a sympathetic view. However, if these emotional outbursts continue, it would raise questions around Rachel Reeves' mental toughness, which is vital for executing her important role in government.”
He continued: “In general, showing emotions in a professional setting can be damaging to someone's career as it indicates that they may react emotionally rather than logically in certain scenarios. Therefore, even though I disagree with people’s views that Rachel Reeves should be dismissed as a result of this emotional outburst, I understand the rationale. Whether the Chancellor deserves to stay in her job based on her performance is another matter - that is certainly up for debate. But to dismiss someone from government for showing emotions in a one-off situation seems inhumane and should be discouraged.”
Meanwhile, broker Hannie Mason (pictured second from right), director of Mortgages with Hannie & Co, doesn’t believe that showing emotion should automatically be seen as a weakness, especially when someone holds such an intense and high stakes role. “Rachel Reeves showing emotion in the House of Commons humanises her,” Mason said. “It reminds us that leaders are still people, dealing with immense pressure, and often very complex circumstances.
“We all want leaders who are strong, competent, and clear headed, but empathy and authenticity are just as important. I’d be far more concerned about someone being detached or unrelatable than someone showing a very human response in a difficult moment. That said, I understand that the markets rely heavily on stability and confidence, and that any public display can be scrutinised and misinterpreted in seconds. It’s a tough balance.”
She added: “Personally, I think we need to stop framing emotion, especially from women in leadership, as professionally damaging. It’s not about being emotional instead of being competent. You can absolutely be both. I’d rather see someone lead with passion and vulnerability than hide behind a performance just to appear strong.”
As a female professional in a sector where composure and confidence are often scrutinised, Katrina Horstead (pictured right), co-founder and director of women-led brokerage Versed, recognises the pressure placed on high profile leaders. “Rachel Reeves’ emotional moment was unusual in its visibility, but not necessarily inappropriate,” Horstead said. “Leaders are under immense pressure particularly when navigating economic uncertainty and showing vulnerability doesn’t have to undermine authority, showing emotion doesn’t equate to weakness, particularly in the current climate where empathy and resilience need to co-exist.
“While markets respond quickly to moments of perceived instability, we believe confidence in the Chancellor should be based on her overall competence and decision making, not a single moment of emotion. Emotional intelligence in leadership is increasingly valued, and this should be seen in that broader context.”
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An incident beyond political allegiances
Kasia Makarewicz (pictured inset, above), mortgage and protection adviser with Step By Step Financial Solutions, acknowledges that she is not a supporter of Labour – but emphasises that that is not the point here. “She’s a woman in a role of immense responsibility, under relentless pressure,” Makarewicz said. “This is a really difficult moment to form a black-and-white opinion about, especially as a woman working in a high-pressure environment while also navigating personal challenges. I think it’s important to recognise that leadership, particularly in public service, isn’t just about delivering specific policies – it’s also about presence, tone, and emotional resilience.
“The job of Chancellor is incredibly demanding, and the expectations placed on women in such roles often come with a double standard. What we saw in the Commons wasn’t weakness – it was a very human moment. The question it raises isn’t whether someone should cry in public, but rather when do we stop and take care of ourselves? When do we create space for leaders, women or men, to say, ‘I need a moment’, without fear of judgement or speculation?”
She added: “There’s a gendered aspect to this too. Men under pressure are often allowed to be angry – it’s seen as strength. Women under pressure tend to go quiet, hold it in, or – if it spills over – it’s seen as fragility or lack of control. That double standard is damaging. The ability to show emotion should not automatically disqualify someone from leadership; if anything, it shows a depth of character and responsibility we should value more.”
She added: “In short, I don’t think this moment makes Rachel Reeves less capable. If anything, it highlights how much weight she’s carrying – and how much more supportive, inclusive, and human our workplaces, including government, still need to become.”
