'I'm proud': Rachel Reeves reacts as Andy Burnham sacks first-ever female Chancellor

Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham fired Ms Reeves on Monday afternoon, soon after he officially took power.Ms Reeves’ sacking followed that of Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, housing secretary Steve Reed, and business secretary Peter Kyle earlier in the day. The BBC reported that Ms Reeves was offered a “big job” within Burnham’s cabinet, but declined. David Lammy and Rachel Reeves both lose out in Burnham’s new cabinetPARachel Reeves embraces Sir Keir after his farewell speech on MondayGettyThe first ever female Chancellor has now reacted to being axed by the former Manchester mayor, pledging her support to her successor and Mr Burnham. In a post on X, Ms Reeves said: “I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his cabinet. You have my full support, and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour government deliver the change the country needs.” The statement read: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. “The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.” She added that her tenure saw “stability restored, investment delivered and reform to our economy under way.” “I said when I was appointed Chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives [of] ordinary working class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have,” the statement added. Ms Reeves was expected to lose her job as part of Mr Burnham’s Cabinet shakeup when he was elected as leader of the Labour Party. Despite navigating turbulent economic times, including Trump’s tariffs, Ms Reeves struggled to gain the backing of the British public, becoming the most unpopular chancellor in history back in November with ratings of minus 71. Read MoreShe was the 109th Chancellor to hold the position since it was created and the first female to assume the role. In her statement she said: “And to every young woman and girl let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams.”With the position now empty, eyes will turn to who might take up the role, with Starmer’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said to be the frontrunner to No11. Ed Miliband has also been mooted as a potential replacement for Reeves while Yvette Cooper could be an outside pick to take on the treasury.