Labour’s New Deputy Chief Warns Reeves Not to Break Election Vow

Lucy Powell, Labour’s new deputy leader, said the UK government should stand by its election pledges in a sign of growing disquiet within the ruling party that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is set to break a key commitment on tax.

During last year’s election campaign, Labour vowed not to raise income tax, national insurance contributions or value added tax for the five-year duration of the Parliament, a flagship promise designed to protect workers. But amid a growing fiscal hole, Reeves this week set the stage for tax rises in her Nov. 26 budget, warning of the tough choices she’ll need to make.