Rachel Reeves Replaces Nigel Lawson Portrait with 'Red Ellen' in Treasury

The Chancellor's decision to hang a portrait of Ellen Wilkinson, a founding Communist Party member and Labour MP, signals a symbolic shift in No 11 Downing Street.

Rachel Reeves, the first female Chancellor, has replaced a portrait of former Conservative Chancellor Nigel Lawson with one of Ellen Wilkinson, a noted socialist and Labour MP.
Ellen Wilkinson, known as 'Red Ellen', was a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain and later served as Minister of Education under Clement Attlee.
The portrait swap has sparked both criticism and support, with some viewing it as a symbolic shift towards more progressive values within the Labour government.
Reeves has stated her intention to fill No 11 Downing Street with artwork by or of women, aligning with her broader commitment to gender representation.
This change follows similar actions by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has also removed portraits of historical figures like Margaret Thatcher from Downing Street.