2025 British cabinet reshuffle

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Keir Starmer Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg
Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer carried out the first cabinet reshuffle of his premiership in 2025. A minor reshuffle of posts in 10 Downing Street began on 1 September 2025. [1] On 5 September, following the resignation of the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner after she was found to have broken the ministerial code, a full reshuffle of the cabinet was launched. [2]

Contents

Media speculation

The reshuffle was speculated to take place in the late spring or early summer of 2025. [3] Ministers like Lisa Nandy and Bridget Phillipson were discussed as possible changes. [4] Number 10 denied that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves would be removed. [5] Louise Haigh told the media that northern female MPs were likely to be demoted. [6] Speculation increased following the 2025 United Kingdom local elections. [7] [8]

Background

A minor reshuffle of posts in 10 Downing Street began on 1 September 2025. [9] [10]

Following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, after being found to have breached the ministerial code, one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years started on 5 September. [16] Starmer planned to enact the full reshuffle later in the parliamentary term, but brought this forward in light of Rayner's resignation. [17]

Changes

Below are the changes made in the reshuffle. [1] [2] [18]

Cabinet ministers

Colour key
  •      Joined Cabinet
  •      Left Cabinet
NamePosition before reshufflePosition after reshuffle
Angela Rayner Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Angela Rayner Deputy Prime Minister
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Resigned from government
David Lammy Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2025 (cropped).jpg David Lammy Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Deputy Prime Minister
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for Justice
Yvette Cooper Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2025 (cropped).jpg Yvette Cooper Secretary of State for the Home Department Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Shabana Mahmood Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2025 (cropped).jpg Shabana Mahmood Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for Justice
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Steve Reed Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 4.jpg Steve Reed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Official portrait of Emma Reynolds MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Emma Reynolds Economic Secretary to the Treasury
City Minister
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Darren Jones Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2025 (cropped).jpg Darren Jones Chief Secretary to the Treasury (until 1 September) Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister (from 1 September)
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (from 5 September)
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (from 6 September)
Pat McFadden Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Pat McFadden Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (until 6 September)
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Liz Kendall Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Liz Kendall Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Peter Kyle Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2025 (cropped).jpg Peter Kyle Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary of State for Business and Trade
President of the Board of Trade
Jonathan Reynolds Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Jonathan Reynolds Secretary of State for Business and Trade
President of the Board of Trade
Chief Whip of the House of Commons
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
Alan Campbell Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped).jpg Alan Campbell Chief Whip of the House of Commons
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
Leader of the House of Commons
Lord President of the Council
Lucy Powell Leader of the House (cropped) 2.jpg Lucy Powell Leader of the House of Commons
Lord President of the Council
Dismissed from government
Official portrait of Douglas Alexander MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Douglas Alexander Minister of State at the Cabinet Office
Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security
Secretary of State for Scotland
Ian Murray Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Ian Murray Secretary of State for Scotland Minister of State at Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Official portrait of Ellie Reeves MP crop 2, 2023.jpg Ellie Reeves Minister without Portfolio
Chair of the Labour Party
Solicitor General for England and Wales
Official portrait of Anna Turley MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Anna Turley Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip) Minister without Portfolio
Chair of the Labour Party
Official portrait of James Murray MP crop 2.jpg James Murray Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Junior ministers

Colour key
  •      Joined government
  •      Left government
NamePosition before reshufflePosition after reshuffle
No image.svg Jason Stockwood None [a] Minister of State for Investment
Poppy Gustafsson at the Council of Nations and Regions meeting 2024.jpg The Baroness Gustafsson Minister of State for Investment Resigned government [19]
Official portrait of Jim McMahon crop 2.jpg Jim McMahon Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Left government
Official portrait of Daniel Zeichner crop 2.jpg Daniel Zeichner Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs Left government
Official portrait of Justin Madders MP crop 2.jpg Justin Madders Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets Left government
Official portrait of Catherine West crop 2.jpg Catherine West Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific Left government
Official portrait of Maria Eagle MP crop 2.jpg Maria Eagle Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry Left government
Official portrait of Abena Oppong-Asare MP crop 2.jpg Abena Oppong-Asare Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister (non-ministerial role)
Official portrait of Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede crop 2, 2019.jpg The Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice Left government
Official portrait of Lord Khan of Burnley crop 2, 2024.jpg The Lord Khan of Burnley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Faith, Communities and Resettlement Left government
Official portrait of Catherine McKinnell MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Catherine McKinnell Minister of State for School Standards Left government
Dan Tomlinson MP.jpg Dan Tomlinson Backbench MP Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury
Michael Shanks MP Portrait 3x4.jpg Michael Shanks Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Official portrait of Alison McGovern MP crop 2.jpg Alison McGovern Minister of State for Employment Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Official portrait of Lucy Rigby MP crop 2.jpg Lucy Rigby Solicitor General for England and Wales Economic Secretary to the Treasury
City Minister
Dan Jarvis official portrait, 2024 (cropped).jpg Dan Jarvis Minister of State for Security Minister of State for Security
Minister of State in the Cabinet Office
Patrick Vallance Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped).jpg The Lord Vallance of Balham Minister of State for Science Minister of State for Science
Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Angela Eagle official portrait. 2024 (cropped).jpg Angela Eagle Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Official portrait of Dame Diana Johnson MP crop 2.jpg Diana Johnson Minister of State for Policing and Crime Prevention Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions
Official portrait of Sarah Jones MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Sarah Jones Minister of State for Industry Minister of State for Policing and Crime
Chris Bryant MP July 2024 Official portrait 2 (cropped).jpg Chris Bryant Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms
Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism
Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Luke Pollard MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Luke Pollard Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry
Official portrait of Georgia Gould MP crop 2.jpg Georgia Gould Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Minister of State in the Department for Education
Official portrait of Ellie Reeves MP crop 2, 2023.jpg Ellie Reeves Minister without Portfolio
Chair of the Labour Party (attending Cabinet)
Solicitor General for England and Wales
Ian Murray Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped) 2.jpg Ian Murray Secretary of State for Scotland (Cabinet Minister) Minister of State for Creative Industries, Media and Arts
Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Official portrait of Mike Tapp MP crop 2.jpg Mike Tapp Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship
Official portrait of Louise Jones MP crop 2.jpg Louise Sandher-Jones Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People
Official portrait of Baroness Levitt crop 2, 2025 2.jpg The Baroness Levitt Backbench peer Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
Official portrait of Chris Ward MP crop 2.jpg Chris Ward Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister (non-ministerial role) Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office
Seema Malhotra official portrait, 2024 (cropped).jpg Seema Malhotra Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP portrait cropped.jpg Miatta Fahnbulleh Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Consumers Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Official portrait of Samantha Dixon, 2022 (cropped).jpg Samantha Dixon Vice-Chamberlain of HM Household (Senior Government Whip) Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Dr Zubir Ahmed portrait 2024.jpg Zubir Ahmed Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
Official portrait of Baroness Smith of Malvern crop 2, 2025.jpg The Baroness Smith of Malvern Minister of State for Skills (Department for Education)
Minister of State for Women and Equalities
Minister of State for Skills (Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions)
Minister of State for Women and Equalities
Official portrait of Alex Norris MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Alex Norris Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum
Official portrait of Chris Elmore MP crop 2.jpg Chris Elmore Comptroller of HM Household (Senior Government Whip) Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Official portrait of Satvir Kaur MP crop 2.jpg Satvir Kaur Backbench MP Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office (on maternity leave)
Official portrait of Josh Simons MP crop 2.jpg Josh Simons Backbench MP Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office (covering maternity leave)
Official portrait of Josh MacAlister MP crop 2.jpg Josh MacAlister Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education
Olivia bailey portrait 2024.jpg Olivia Bailey Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Early Education
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities
Official portrait of Blair McDougall MP crop 2.jpg Blair McDougall Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Kate Dearden MP crop 2.jpg Kate Dearden Assistant Government Whip Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Kanishka Narayan MP crop 2.jpg Kanishka Narayan Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Official portrait of Anna McMorrin MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Anna McMorrin Assistant Government Whip Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales
Matthew Patrick MP.jpg Matthew Patrick Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Official portrait of Katie White MP crop 2.jpg Katie White Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Official portrait of Janet Daby MP crop 2.jpg Janet Daby Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families Left government
Official portrait of Baroness Jones of Whitchurch crop 2, 2019.jpg The Baroness Jones of Whitchurch Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety Left government
Official portrait of Gareth Thomas crop 2.jpg Gareth Thomas Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business and Exports Left government
Official portrait of Feryal Clark MP crop 2.jpg Feryal Clark Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Digital Government Left government
Official portrait of Fleur Anderson MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Fleur Anderson Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Left government
Official portrait of Nia Griffith MP crop 2.jpg Nia Griffith Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities
Left government
Official portrait of Gerald Jones MP crop 2.jpg Gerald Jones Assistant Government Whip Left government
Official portrait of Martin McCluskey MP crop 2.jpg Martin McCluskey Assistant Government Whip Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Official portrait of Keir Mather MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Keir Mather Assistant Government Whip Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport
Official portrait of Jake Richards MP crop 2.jpg Jake Richards Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice

Assistant Government Whip

Official portrait of Lilian Greenwood MP crop 2.jpg Lilian Greenwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport
Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Nesil Caliskan Portrait - 2024.jpg Nesil Caliskan Backbench MP Comptroller of HM Household (Senior Government Whip)
Official portrait of Nic Dakin MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Nic Dakin Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Vice-Chamberlain of HM Household (Senior Government Whip)
Official portrait of Christian Wakeford MP crop 2.jpg Christian Wakeford Assistant Government Whip Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Close official portrait of Stephen Morgan MP.jpg Stephen Morgan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Early Education Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Official portrait of Claire Hughes MP crop 2.jpg Claire Hughes Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales

Assistant Government Whip

Official portrait of Mark Ferguson MP crop 2.jpg Mark Ferguson Backbench MP Assistant Government Whip
Official portrait of Gregor Poynton MP crop 2.jpg Gregor Poynton Backbench MP Assistant Government Whip
Official portrait of Imogen Walker MP crop 2.jpg Imogen Walker Backbench MP Assistant Government Whip
Official portrait of Jade Botterill MP crop 2.jpg Jade Botterill Backbench MP Assistant Government Whip
Official portrait of Deirdre Costigan MP crop 2.jpg Deirdre Costigan Backbench MP Assistant Government Whip
Official portrait of Lord Collins of Highbury crop 2, 2025.jpg The Lord Collins of Highbury Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa
Lord-in-Waiting (Government Whip)
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord-in-Waiting (Government Whip)
Official portrait of Mike Kane MP crop 2.jpg Mike Kane Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation, Maritime and Security Left government
Official portrait of Kerry McCarthy MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Kerry McCarthy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate Left government
Official portrait of Jeff Smith MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Jeff Smith Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip) Left government
No image.svg Liz Lloyd None [a] Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Baroness-in-Waiting (Government Whip)
Official portrait of Chris McDonald MP 2024 Crop 2.jpg Chris McDonald Backbench MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Gen Kitchen MP 2024 crop 2 (cropped).jpg Gen Kitchen Assistant Government Whip Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
  1. 1 2 To be conferred a life peerage.

PPSs

The following newly appointed Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) were announced on 11 September 2025:

NamePosition before reshufflePosition after reshuffle
Official portrait of Catherine Fookes MP crop 2.jpg Catherine Fookes Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
Official portrait of Abena Oppong-Asare MP crop 2.jpg Abena Oppong-Asare Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
Official portrait of Jon Pearce MP crop 2.jpg Jon Pearce Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
Official portrait of Claire Hazelgrove MP crop 2.jpg Claire Hazelgrove Parliamentary Private Secretary to HM Treasury Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office
Official portrait of Naushabah Khan MP crop 2.jpg Naushabah Khan Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office
Official portrait of Alice Macdonald MP crop 2.jpg Alice Macdonald Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office
Luke Charters Portrait - 2024.jpg Luke Charters Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Jeevun Sandher MP crop 2.jpg Jeevun Sandher Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Business and Trade
Official portrait of Marie Tidball MP crop 2.jpg Marie Tidball Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Business and Trade
Jack Abbott MP portrait cropped.jpg Jack Abbott Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Official portrait of Lola McEvoy MP crop 2.jpg Lola McEvoy Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Official portrait of Amanda Martin MP, 2025 (cropped).jpg Amanda Martin Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Education
Official portrait of Anna Gelderd MP crop 2.jpg Anna Gelderd Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Official portrait of Connor Rand MP crop 2.jpg Connor Rand Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Official portrait of Andrew Pakes MP crop 2.jpg Andrew Pakes Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Official portrait of Tom Rutland MP crop 2.jpg Tom Rutland Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Official portrait of Preet Kaur Gill MP crop 2.jpg Preet Kaur Gill Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Business and Trade Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Official portrait of Natalie Fleet MP crop 2.jpg Natalie Fleet Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Work and Pensions
Official portrait of Steve Race MP crop 2.jpg Steve Race Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department of Health and Social Care
Official portrait of Rosie Wrighting MP crop 2 MP crop 2.jpg Rosie Wrighting Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department of Health and Social Care
Official portrait of Catherine Atkinson MP crop 2.jpg Catherine Atkinson Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Official portrait of Helena Dollimore MP crop 2.jpg Helena Dollimore Parliamentary Private Secretary to HM Treasury
Official portrait of Kirith Entwistle MP crop 2.jpg Kirith Entwistle Parliamentary Private Secretary to HM Treasury
Official portrait of Sarah Coombes MP crop 2.jpg Sarah Coombes Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Office
Official portrait of Alan Gemmell MP crop 2.jpg Alan Gemmell Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Office
Official portrait of Sally Jameson MP crop 2.jpg Sally Jameson Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Office
Official portrait of Shaun Davies MP crop 2.jpg Shaun Davies Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
Official portrait of Tom Hayes MP crop 2.jpg Tom Hayes Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Official portrait of Laura Kyrke-Smith MP crop 2.jpg Laura Kyrke-Smith Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Official portrait of James Frith MP, 2025 (cropped).jpg James Frith Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Justice
Official portrait of Joe Powell MP crop 2.jpg Joe Powell Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Justice
Official portrait of Melanie Ward MP crop 2.jpg Melanie Ward Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Scotland Office Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Justice
Official portrait of Kevin Bonavia MP crop 2.jpg Kevin Bonavia Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Law Officers
Official portrait of Frank McNally MP crop 2.jpg Frank McNally Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Scotland Office
No image.svg Alison Taylor Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Scotland Office
Official portrait of Leigh Ingham MP.jpg Leigh Ingham Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council
Official portrait of Paul Waugh MP 2024 crop 2.jpg Paul Waugh Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Analysis

The initial "mini-reshuffle" on 1 September was described as a "reset", [20] with Keir Starmer referring to it as the "second phase" of his government and not a reshuffle. [21]

Resignation of Angela Rayner

Rayner (left) and Starmer (right) during their first cabinet meeting on 5 July 2024. Angela Rayner Deputy PM.jpg
Rayner (left) and Starmer (right) during their first cabinet meeting on 5 July 2024.

The resignation of Angela Rayner was the catalyst for the reshuffle. [22] [23] She resigned over a tax scandal involving the purchase of a property. [24] HuffPost wrote that Starmer sought to reassert his authority following the loss of Rayner. [25] She had been expected to be a major candidate for Labour leader. [26] Her concurrent resignation as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party also triggered a deputy leadership election. [27] The last time a deputy leadership election was held alone was 2007. [28]

The New Statesman noted the right-wing shift of the announced changes. [29] One factor criticised was the treatment of female ministers. [30]

Other changes

The reshuffle installed two new holders of Great Offices of State: a new home secretary and a new foreign secretary. This resulted in the three Great Offices below the Prime Minister being simultaneously occupied by women for the first time. [31] Ministers who stayed in office included Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband. [32]

Shabana Mahmood moved from Secretary of State for Justice to Home Secretary. [33] She was noted for being the first female Muslim Home Secretary. [34] Lucy Powell was dismissed as Leader of the House of Commons. [35] This was significant as she was responsible for delivering the legislative programme through parliament. [36] The Home Office saw major changes with Yvette Cooper, Angela Eagle and Diana Johnson leaving the department. [37]

The removal of Ian Murray as Secretary of State for Scotland was a surprise. [38] He spoke publicly of his huge disappointment. [39] Lord George Foulkes called it a “disgraceful decision”. [40] Murray was replaced by Douglas Alexander who previously served in the same job from 2006 to 2007 in the Blair government. [41] The following day Murray returned to government but as a junior minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. [42] [43]

A few senior female MPs left the government including Nia Griffith, Catherine McKinnell and Maria Eagle. A number of MPs first elected in the 2024 general election were appointed to the frontbench for the first time. [44]

Reactions

The reshuffle was controversial within Labour ranks. Chi Onwurah said: "It is clear that there are higher standards and expectations and more attention on working class Labour ministers, especially women.. but we have set ourselves high standards and we do need to keep to them”. [45] Louise Haigh previously said northern female MPs were targeted for scrutiny. [46] Internal civil war has been reported inside the Labour Party. [47] As Rayner came from the soft left, the ideological split has been important. [48]

The Daily Telegraph said that the government hoped the reshuffle would help counter Reform UK. [49] Nigel Farage was the focus of media attention as the reshuffle happened on the same day as the Reform UK conference in Birmingham. [50] Richard Tice said the government was "playing games". [51] Many journalists who planned to travel for the weekend ended up staying in London after Angela Rayner's unexpected resignation. [50] The reshuffle greatly overshadowed the Reform UK conference. [52] Labour had been trailing in the polls and so this was given significance. [53] Another reported issue for the government is on the left wing of politics with the new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales Zack Polanski, who was elected on 2 September, as well as the new Your Party of Jeremy Corbyn. [54]

Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch said: "Angela Rayner is finally gone.. but it's only because of Keir Starmer's weakness that she wasn't sacked three days ago". [55] Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "If Labour believes that having a reshuffle will solve the deep-rooted problems of this government, they are learning the wrong lessons from the calamity Conservatives before them". [56]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Appointments: 1 September 2025". gov.uk.
  2. 1 2 "Ministerial appointments: September 2025". gov.uk. 7 September 2025.
  3. Chaplain, Chloe (12 February 2025). "The Cabinet ministers whose jobs are under threat as No 10 plots reshuffle". The i Paper. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  4. Chaplain, Chloe (12 February 2025). "The Cabinet ministers whose jobs are under threat as No 10 plots reshuffle". The i Paper. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  5. "A cabinet reshuffle is coming: will it include Rachel Reeves?". The Independent. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  6. Penna, Dominic (7 May 2025). "Northern women in Cabinet targeted by No 10, claims ex-frontbencher". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  7. "Speculation over Rachel Reeves's future as demands for winter fuel cuts U-turn mount". The Independent. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  8. "When will Keir Starmer do his Cabinet reshuffle?". Politics Home. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Darren Jones given new role as Keir Starmer revamps No 10 team". BBC News. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  10. 1 2 "SIr Keir Starmer begins reshuffle of Downing Street team". Sky News. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. Lynch, David (1 September 2025). "Starmer appoints Darren Jones to new role as PM's chief secretary". The Standard. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  12. Riley-Smith, Ben; Penna, Dominic (1 September 2025). "Reeves undermined as Starmer poaches her Treasury deputy in No10 reshuffle". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  13. Howe, Megan; Burford, Rachael (1 September 2025). "New headache for Keir Starmer as comms chief quits amid mini-reshuffle". The Standard. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  14. "Keir Starmer to replace third top aide in less than a year". BBC News. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  15. "Starmer to replace third top aide in less than a year in latest Downing Street reset". The Independent. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  16. "Cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out?". Sky News. 5 September 2025.
  17. Crerar, Pippa (5 September 2025). "Crisis engulfs Labour as Angela Rayner is forced to step down as deputy PM". The Guardian . Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  18. Fawkes, Guido (11 September 2025). "LABOUR APPOINTS NEW PPSS TO MANAGE COMMONS AGENDA – by Guido Fawkes". GuidoFawkes. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  19. "Starmer dealt trade blow as investment minister Gustafsson quits". Sky News. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  20. "What's behind Starmer's reset?". Sky News. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  21. "Starmer 2.0: what will 'phase two' of Labour government deliver?". The Week. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
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  23. "Henry Zeffman: Rayner's resignation is devastating blow for her and PM". BBC News. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  24. "Angela Rayner resigns after underpaying tax on Hove flat". www.bbc.com. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  25. Schofield, Kevin (5 September 2025). "Keir Starmer Swings The Axe In Major Cabinet Reshuffle After Rayner Resignation". HuffPost UK . Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  26. "Angela Rayner: Labour's working-class warrior who fell from power". BBC News. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  27. Dimsdale, Connie (5 September 2025). "Angela Rayner quits government over failure to pay £40,000 stamp duty". The i Paper. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  28. Green, Daniel (5 September 2025). "Angela Rayner: How does Labour elect a new deputy leader of the party?". LabourList. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  29. Marr, Andrew (5 September 2025). "Keir Starmer's reshuffle pushes Labour to the right". New Statesman . Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  30. "Reshuffle: Four key questions as Keir Starmer shakes up top team". LabourList. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  31. "Chris Mason: Faced with an almighty mess Starmer opts for big shake-up". BBC News. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  32. "Angela Rayner resigns: Starmer reshuffles Labour Cabinet". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  33. "Shabana Mahmood appointed Home Secretary amid pressure to tackle migration". The Independent. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  34. Hymas, Charles (5 September 2025). "Muslim Home Secretary to take harder line on illegal migration". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  35. "UK House of Commons leader Powell fired by PM Starmer". Reuters. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  36. Britton, Paul (5 September 2025). "Lucy Powell MP 'sacked as Leader of House of Commons in reshuffle'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  37. "Home Office clearout as Starmer reshuffles top team". BBC News . 6 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  38. "Douglas Alexander appointed Scottish Secretary as Ian Murray sacked in reshuffle". The Scotsman. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  39. Johnson, Simon (5 September 2025). "Ian Murray 'hugely disappointed' after losing Scottish Secretary post". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  40. "Douglas Alexander appointed Scottish Secretary as Ian Murray sacked in reshuffle". The Scotsman. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  41. "Douglas Alexander becomes Scottish secretary after Murray sacked". BBC News. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  42. "Ian Murray returns to government in demoted role following fallout from sacking". The Herald. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  43. Lloyd, Nina; O'Neill, Emma (6 September 2025). "Scots MP Ian Murray rejoins government one day after being sacked". Daily Record. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  44. Green, Daniel (7 September 2025). "Full list of new intake MPs promoted to first ministerial role in reshuffle". LabourList. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  45. Holland, Daniel; Robinson, James (5 September 2025). "What North East Labour MPs said as Angela Rayner quits as deputy prime minister". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
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