The Conservative Party used its social media platforms to troll senior Labour figures including Rachel Reeves in advance of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Wednesday. Ms Reeves outlined the Government’s plan to increase public sector funding and support economic growth, but warned that tax hikes would be necessary to address the UK’s growing debt.
She also revised the UK’s growth estimate to just 1%, citing ongoing global challenges and domestic economic pressures. The Tories’ attempt at satire came in the form of a screenshot of a supposed WhatsApp group conversation involving four people posting as Rachel R, Torsten (presumably Bell, Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasury), Angela Rayner (the Deputy Prime Minister), Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Lord A (possibly meant to be Lord Alli). It was shared in a post on X that said: “We got added to Rachel Reeves’ emergency budget WhatsApp chat.”
The first spoof message in the group, named Emergency budget plannning (SIC), is posted by Rachel R and says: “Right you lot this is getting serious. The tax rises I promised not to do when we won have completely destroyed UK growth.
“This stuff is so much more difficult than it looks on TV. Any big ideas?”
Torsten suggests: “ok ok, uuhhh f***. What about more tax rises?”
Rachel R replies: “Ok yea, maybe that’ll work. Need something else though.
“You know what Keir said at cabinet last week: ‘We need to sort out the mess we made or I’ll have to go back to defending terrorists you’ll have to go back to be being bad at retail banking.'”
Angela Rayner interjects: “Anyone seen my vape?”
Darren Jones says: “We’ve already taxed cold grannies, farmers, family businesses, even hospices looking after dying kids. What’s next?”
Rachel R then concludes: “0MG these figures are shocking guys.
“Public are gonna know we screwed them over. Really nervous now…”
The remark about Keir Starmer “defending terrorists” likely refers to his past work as a human rights lawyer, during which he represented individuals accused of terrorism.
The reference to being “bad at retail banking” appears to be a dig at Rachel Reeves’ previous job at HBOS, a bank that faced criticism for its handling of the financial crisis.
The line about taxing “cold grannies, farmers, family businesses, even hospices looking after dying kids” seems to mock Labour’s recent tax policies, including changes to inheritance tax, agricultural subsidies, and charitable tax relief.
The joke met with a mixed response, with some appearing to think it was a real conversation and others unconvinced by the comedy value.
Posting on Facebook, Graham Gourlay said: “Posts like this do not build respect for the Conservatives. How about some intelligent alternative strategies that will lead to a better outcome. I will not be voting for a bunch of cynical theatre critic behaviours.”
Andy Leonard observed: “Pathetic. From the party that have deleted WhatsApp groups with far worse.”
The Larry the Cat X account said: “I know a thing or two about not being funny on social media; fine work.”
