In one of the most sweeping cabinet shakeups of his young government, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a new slate of senior appointments that reshapes the face of British politics.
David Lammy, a long-serving Labour heavyweight, has been named Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, taking over from Yvette Cooper. Cooper, in turn, moves into the high-profile role of Foreign Secretary, cementing her as a key figure in Starmer’s foreign policy team.
Shabana Mahmood, a Birmingham-born barrister of Pakistani heritage, has been appointed Home Secretary—an historic moment that underscores the growing diversity at the highest levels of government. Her appointment makes her one of the most powerful women in Britain and a central voice in shaping domestic security and immigration policy.
Other major posts also saw fresh faces. Steve Reed becomes Housing Minister, Pat McFadden takes over at Work and Pensions, while Peter Kyle steps into the role of Trade Minister. Liz Kendall has been tapped as Science Minister, and Emma Reynolds assumes the Environment and Agriculture brief.
Former Labour minister Douglas Alexander returns as Scotland Secretary, with Jonathan Reynolds becoming Chief Whip. Darren Jones has been named Minister for the Cabinet Office, and veteran Alan Campbell will now lead the House of Commons.
The reshuffle was triggered by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who stepped down amid controversy over a stamp duty issue linked to the purchase of a flat in East Essex. Rayner also relinquished her position as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, creating a significant vacuum in the party’s leadership ranks.
With this reshuffle, Starmer has sought to project stability, diversity, and renewed purpose. The appointments, though born of crisis, may well define the trajectory of his government as it navigates a turbulent domestic and global landscape.
