Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle after replacing Sir Keir Starmer, dismissing several of his predecessor’s closest allies in what he described as the biggest political reset in four decades.
The shake-up saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Justice Secretary David Lammy and Communities Secretary Steve Reed removed from government, making way for a new ministerial team led by John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary and Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary.
Healey, a former Defence Secretary and ex-Treasury minister under Tony Blair, was confirmed as Chancellor after speculation that Miliband could take the role. Reports said Burnham’s allies opposed Miliband’s appointment to the Treasury, leading to his move to the Foreign Office instead.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who was also linked with the Treasury, retained her post to continue her immigration reforms.
Angela Rayner returned as Housing Secretary months after resigning from the role following a stamp duty controversy.
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Louise Haigh was appointed First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, making her one of Burnham’s most senior allies in government.
Other key appointments include Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh as Net Zero Secretary, Ellie Reeves as Attorney General, Lucy Powell as Education Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds as Business Secretary and Yvette Cooper as Health Secretary.
Anneliese Midgley became Chief Whip, while Pat McFadden remained Work and Pensions Secretary, Lisa Nandy stayed on as Culture Secretary and Heidi Alexander retained the Transport portfolio.
Bridget Phillipson was appointed Women and Equalities Minister, while Alex Norris became Justice Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle was named Environment Secretary, Sir Chris Bryant took over Northern Ireland, Stephen Kinnock became Welsh Secretary and Douglas Alexander remained Scottish Secretary.
Before announcing his new Cabinet, Burnham informed several senior ministers from Starmer’s administration that they would be leaving government. Steve Reed, David Lammy, Peter Kyle, Liz Kendall, Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson and Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson were among those who exited.
Lammy said serving in government had been “the greatest privilege” of his life, while Reed pledged to continue fighting to ensure London “is treated fairly” from the backbenches.
The Standard
