The prime minister has carried out a serious reshuffle of his cupboard – triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner, who was discovered to have breached the ministerial code over her tax affairs.
David Lammy has been stripped of his function as overseas secretary, and given the job of justice secretary, together with the function of deputy prime minister.
Mr Lammy‘s transfer was one of the momentous of Sir Keir Starmer‘s ministerial reshuffle on Friday afternoon, which noticed an entire host of roles change palms, and two departments partially mixed.
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The PM moved him away from one of many nice places of work of state, regardless of his apparently burgeoning ‘bromance’ with US vice chairman JD Vance. However Mr Lammy benefited from Ms Rayner‘s departure.
David Lammy arrives in Downing Road following his appointment as deputy PM. Pic: PA
The deputy PM and housing secretary resigned from government on Friday morning, after it was discovered she had breached the ministerial code. Sir Keir regretfully accepted her resignation, leaving her roles vacant.
Thus started the ministerial reshuffle, introduced ahead by a number of weeks because of Ms Rayner’s departure.
Mr Lammy has been given the function of deputy prime minister, and appeared cheery on Friday afternoon – strolling up Downing Road within the sunshine with an enormous smile on his face.
David Lammy appointed deputy PM
His transfer from the International Workplace to the Ministry of Justice then allowed Yvette Cooper, the house secretary, to tackle Mr Lammy’s earlier job. She has by no means served in any function involving overseas affairs earlier than, bar a three-month stint as shadow overseas secretary in 2010.
Her pivot to overseas affairs then allowed the most important promotion of all of them, with then justice secretary and key Starmer ally, Shabana Mahmood, being appointed as residence secretary.
Which means for the primary time in British historical past, all three nice places of work of state, after the prime minister, are held by ladies.
Shabana Mahmood arrives at Downing Road after being appointed residence secretary. Pic: PA
With these roles rejigged, and Quantity 10 insisting from the beginning that Rachel Reeves was protected as chancellor, it was time to tinker with the remainder of the cupboard.
It seems that whereas the reshuffle was carried out unexpectedly early, lots of thought had gone into it.
Sir Keir started by creating a brand new ‘tremendous ministry’, combining the abilities remit of the Division for Training with the Division for Work and Pensions.
Cooper appointed overseas secretary
Pat McFadden, on Friday morning the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (the best rating Cupboard Workplace minister), has been given duty for this new ministerial empire. It additionally signifies that Bridget Phillipson, who was and stays the training secretary, has had her obligations slimmed down.
Formally, Mr McFadden has turn into the work and pensions secretary. This meant the present occupant of that function, Liz Kendall, additionally wanted to be reshuffled.
She has now been appointed because the science, innovation and expertise secretary. Her predecessor in that function, Peter Kyle, in flip obtained a promotion to guide the Division of Enterprise and Commerce.
Peter Kyle has been promoted to enterprise secretary
Pic: PA
Mr Kyle made incorporating and utilizing AI a key a part of his first 12 months in workplace, and had been seen to be doing nicely within the job. His promotion, although, has led to the present enterprise secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, being left with out a division.
Whereas he stays within the cupboard, his appointment to the job of chief whip is unlikely to be seen as a promotion.
The reshuffle introduced higher information for Darren Jones, who was solely promoted on Monday to the newly created function of chief secretary to the prime minister.
He acquired to maintain his function, however was gifted Mr McFadden’s previous job – chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster – so as to add to his rising political portfolio.
Starmer’s effort to reset govt
Learn extra:
Despite her exit, Rayner remains a powerful force
What a moment for Shabana Mahmood
Cooper picking up the reins at a challenging time
Steve Reed, one other long-time Starmer ally, benefitted alongside Mr Lammy from Ms Rayner’s departure. He has been given her former function of housing secretary, abandoning the Division for Setting, Meals and Rural Affairs.
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Additionally ending in a greater place than they began off on Friday morning are Emma Reynolds, a Treasury minister who has now obtained Mr Reed’s previous job, and commerce minister Douglas Alexander, who has now turn into the Scotland secretary. Sir Alan Campbell, beforehand chief whip, has now turn into chief of the Home of Commons.
On the opposite facet of the spectrum, former chief of the Commons Lucy Powell, and ex-Scotland secretary Ian Murray, joined Ms Rayner in leaving the federal government. Each have been sacked, and each made clear their need to not lose their roles.
Sacked ministers Lucy Powell and Ian Murray.
Pic: PA
Ms Powell stated it had been “an honour” to serve however warned that “the way forward for our democracy appears unsure”, citing rising ranges of “abuse, misrepresentation…. and the decision for simple solutions”.
Mr Murray additionally echoed this sentiment, stating that politics within the UK “is at a harmful crossroads”. He referred to as on MPs to carry “prosperity, hope and our communities collectively, relatively than furthering division and despair”, and stated he would assist Sir Keir’s authorities from the backbenches.
