In this year’s local elections, Reform UK won control of 10 councils, and next year’s elections are expected bring similar results.
Mr Stringer said: “The run-up to the Budget has been chaotic – the worst preparation for a Budget I have ever seen. I don’t think it will be a Budget for growth, which is what the country needs. You can’t take any Budget claiming to be for growth seriously unless we do something about energy prices.”
Another Labour MP said Ms Reeves would have to resign as Chancellor if the Budget unravelled, which could also bring down Sir Keir.
“This Budget seems make or break for Reeves and probably for Starmer as well,” said the MP. “She is in trouble anyway, as the Office for Budget Responsibility has downgraded growth for the future.
“The object of this Government is supposedly growth, but it doesn’t look like this is going to happen soon, and without growth there is no improvement in living standards.
“If the Budget does go badly, it’s difficult to see how she can survive, and she is so closely bound to Starmer that if she falls, she would probably drag him down as well.”
The MP added: “We need to see whether this Budget unravels over the weekend, as it usually does. I still think there won’t be any challenge to Starmer until after local elections in May, which is unfortunate because why should councillors have to pay the price?”
