Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a portrait of former education minister and Communist Party member Ellen Wilkinson in her office at No. 11 Downing Street, just ahead of presenting her
first Budget. The choice of artwork has sparked interest and some debate, as Wilkinson, known for her ties to revolutionary socialism and advocacy for women's rights, is a unique figure among Treasury portraits.
Wilkinson, who served as Britain’s first female Education Secretary in 1945, was influential in expanding women's suffrage and was known for her close connections with socialist leaders like Lenin and Trotsky. Often called “Red Ellen” for both her socialist leanings and red hair, she gained national prominence by leading the “Jarrow Crusade” in 1936—a protest against unemployment and poverty in Tyneside.
Reeves is set to become the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver the Budget, marking a historical moment. Her Autumn Budget is expected to focus on strengthening the NHS and boosting economic growth, with Reeves likely to assert that investment is the key to driving sustainable progress. She is anticipated to highlight the “immense prize” of economic growth in exchange for Labour’s approach, despite recent criticism of her policies.
Wednesday’s budget aims to raise an additional £35 billion annually, according to projections, as Reeves commits to addressing the challenges of the UK’s public finances with a bold strategy. Photo by Bassano Ltd, Wikimedia commons.
