Rachel Reeves avoids the Miliband trap

Rachel Reeves is out once on the campaign trail once again today as she gives her first major speech since Rishi Sunak called a July election. Addressing business leaders in the East Midlands, Reeves will vow to ‘lead the most pro-growth Treasury in our country’s history’. So far, no surprises – the shadow chancellor has made similar promises before. However, what Reeves and her team will be patting themselves on the back for pulling off is a letter in today’s Times.

Over one hundred business chiefs have signed a letter endorsing Labour’s economic plans and saying it is time for change. They include Iceland supermarket founder Malcolm Walker, the TV chef and restaurateur Tom Kerridge, former Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye, JD Sports chairman Andrew Higginson and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. It comes despite questions over Labour’s plans for workers’ rights. The letter is a coup for Labour, and follows a years-long business charm offensive which has included Reeves taking British executives for smoked salmon and scrambled egg breakfasts, and aided by business outreach work by key Labour aides Katie Martin and Vidhya Alakeson.