Asked whether there should be more focus on “competence and success” than “identity politics”, or whether she thought it was true that Ms Reeves had faced misogyny in her role, health minister Karyn Smith told Times Radio: “Look, Rachel is well able to challenge and relishes the challenge that she has got as the first female Chancellor.
“I think both things can be true. I think absolutely, I’m often in a situation where I’m the only woman in the room.
“That happens to Rachel a lot in her world, but all chancellors face a lot of criticism. She’s well up for that challenge, able to face that down.
“I think it is inspirational to lots of young women, particularly she’s the first Chancellor, woman Chancellor in 300 years, something she’s very proud of, and rightly so. With that comes a lot of criticism.
“Every single Chancellor gets criticism… I think there is a difference for a woman Chancellor as well, absolutely, for all women politicians, that’s not new or unusual.
“But you know, those of us who are in senior positions in politics, we’ve got to crack on with it. We’re focused on it: it is one of those things that you have to deal with.
“I hope it changes – and our job is to inspire another generation, which I know Rachel does do, to to get involved and change that situation.”
