Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons

House of Commons London SW1A 0AA3 July 2025

Dear Mr Speaker,Re: Urgent Clarification Sought on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Breakdown in the House

I am writing to express my deep concern about the events that unfolded during Prime Minister’s Questions on 2 July 2025, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, appeared visibly distressed and unable to continue. The government has since attributed this to a “personal matter,” but I believe the House — and the public — deserve a clearer and more credible explanation.With respect, this Parliament has only just begun. For the Chancellor to emotionally break down in such a setting, in front of millions of viewers, is no trivial matter. It raises serious questions about the pressures within government, potential internal disputes, or even public policy matters that may have triggered such a response. To simply brush this off as a private issue is, frankly, insufficient.I am particularly concerned that this explanation is being used to shield the government from legitimate scrutiny at a moment when public trust must be earned and safeguarded. If Ms. Reeves was suffering from personal distress severe enough to interrupt her constitutional role, was it appropriate for her to remain in post that day? Shouldn’t protocols exist to temporarily relieve a minister from duty in such circumstances?It is not my intention to mock or diminish the human side of anyone in public life. But crocodile tears at the Despatch Box — while the public struggles with cost of living, public services collapse, and trust in government continues to erode — are not acceptable. If Ms. Reeves’ tears were indeed provoked by political stressors, then the public deserves transparency, not obfuscation.I urge you, as Speaker, to seek formal clarification from the Prime Minister or the Chancellor herself on this matter. The House of Commons should not be reduced to theatre. We are dealing with national leadership and public accountability, not sentiment.Yours sincerely,

Alan M. Dransfield