Rachel Reeves, a member of Parliament, has removed paintings of men from the No. 11 building to highlight the importance of female art.

The new Chancellor of the United Kingdom, Rachel Reeves, is making headlines as the first woman to hold her position. But instead of just celebrating her historical achievement, she is taking action to promote and celebrate women in her new role.

At a reception for women business leaders at No 11 Downing Street, Reeves announced her plans to remove all the male-heavy paintings from her official residence and replace them with artwork by or depicting women. This includes the large portrait of King James II that currently hangs in the grand state room of the building.

Reeves explained her decision to the gathering, stating that every picture in the room will either be of a woman or by a woman. She also revealed her plans to have a statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett in the room, as well as in her study.

This move has been met with criticism from the Conservative party, who called it a "pathetic gesture" and pointed to more pressing concerns such as the struggles of elderly women during the holiday season. But Reeves remains focused on using her position to improve the lives of women, addressing issues like expensive childcare and the gender pay gap.

The decision to redecorate No 11 is not the first controversial move related to artwork in Downing Street since the Labour party took over. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently removed a portrait of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from his study, citing its "unsettling" presence. This sparked backlash from the Conservative party, who praised Thatcher's achievements as the first female prime minister.

It is yet to be seen if the Thatcher portrait will be transferred to the Chancellor's residence. However, this is not the first time the portrait of James II has been at the center of controversy. In 2021, it was reported that its placement in No 11 was under review due to the Stuart king's links to the slave trade.

In addition to promoting and celebrating women through artwork, Reeves has also pledged to use her position to address the gender pay gap and other issues facing women. She hopes to be known as the Chancellor who finally closes the pay gap, which has persisted despite equal pay legislation being introduced over 50 years ago.

Some may view Reeves' actions as merely symbolic, but others see it as a powerful statement and a step towards greater gender equality in politics. Only time will tell the impact of her actions, but one thing is for sure – Reeves is determined to make a difference for women in her new role as Chancellor.

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