Ashley James has had her say on Chancellor Rachel Reeves crying during Prime Minister’s Questions. Earlier this month, Reeves was seen visibly shedding tears in the House of Commons and was accused of looking “absolutely miserable” by Kemi Badenoch. Reeves’ appearance sparked a flood of online speculation, with former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan even saying on X: “What on earth is going on with the Chancellor???!” GB News star Emily Carver also said: “Rachel Reeves looks like she’s been crying. I’m not surprised. After last night, she’s the one who has to pick up the pieces.”
But now, Ashley, a regular presenter on This Morning, spoke exclusively with Express Online about the political landscape and wants MPs to be “more human”.
She said: “I think everyone feels a bit disillusioned with politics, and I think it’s much easier to be on the outside pushing for change than to feel like you’re tied to a party when you might not necessarily agree with it.
“Sadly, it’s not a very nice landscape to be a politician. Politicians, especially female politicians and especially non-white politicians, face so much abuse. I would really like to see meaningful change across all political parties because I feel like we’re being let down across the board.”
When asked about the Chancellor, she said: “Personally, I think more politicians should cry because the stakes are so high and the things that they’re deciding are so important.
“They are policies that impact people’s lives, whether we’re looking at child poverty, people’s access to PI payments, welfare access, the state of the NHS in terms of how we’re treating doctors and nurses, and scapegoating junior doctors, teachers, I feel like they should be really conscious of the decisions that they are making.”
She added: “Obviously, I don’t necessarily think that everybody needs to cry every day, and that’s not what I’m suggesting, but I also think that tears shouldn’t be seen as weak.
“I personally would like to see politicians be more human. I think people would connect much more with that. I think it’s like disappointing and probably misogynistic that we reacted in the way we did to an emotional female politician, but we sort of brushed over the constant emotions of Donald Trump.”
Ashley has also recently teamed up with Mountain Warehouse to share the typical Family Walk Formula: 1 hour 11 minutes, up to two tantrums, three ‘treasures’ picked up, and at least two snacks per child.
Research by Mountain Warehouse reveals that 82% of family walks rarely go according to plan, with tantrums starting just 19 minutes in. Yet, nearly 80% of parents believe that time spent outdoors strengthens family bonds.
Speaking about the campaign, she said: “I think the formula is basically shining a light on the magic and bonding, but also the total chaos, so it’s snack stops, it’s meltdowns, it’s parents carrying absolutely everything. Even if it’s an hour, even if it’s 10 minutes, it’s just getting out into nature.”
Mark Neale, Founder & CEO at Mountain Warehouse, said: “Family walks are rarely picture perfect, but we believe that getting outdoors with the whole family creates some of the most meaningful moments. At Mountain Warehouse, we’re here for those everyday mountains, the mud, the rain, even the dog going for an unexpected swim. We want families to feel ready to face them with confidence, humour, and the right kit.”
For more information and a list of the UK’s best family walks, visit here.