Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has made changes to his Shadow Cabinet today in a move that has changed the role of deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner. The beginning of the reshuffle has coincided with parliament returning from summer recess and there had been much speculation in the build-up that Rayner would see a considerable change to her role.
As it happens, her role has changed but her status as Starmer’s deputy is still intact. She has formally replaced Lisa Nandy in the Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Levelling Up Secretary while she has also been appointed as the “Shadow Deputy Prime Minister”.
Coming into today, Rayner was the Shadow First Secretary of State, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work. Many of these responsibilities will no longer be part of her remit, however, she is still going to be looking at the future of work.
As the new Shadow levelling up secretary, she will be working across from Michael Gove at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
As a key conservative manifesto pledge, the Levelling Up Agenda is likely to be a big talking point and battleground at the next general election while housing will also be a hot topic in light of the government’s recent decision to remove EU water pollution restrictions from law.
In light of the announcement, a party source told the Independent that Starmer was “delighted” that Rayner had accepted her new role after rising tensions in the party between the pair. The source also insisted that Rayne would “continue to be the strategic lead on Labour’s new deal for working people.”
Jim McMahon resigns
The first announcement made on Monday was that Jim McMahon had resigned from his position as Shadow Environmental Secretary. In a resignation posted online, the MP for Oldham West and Royton said:
“As the reshuffle begins, I have written to Keir to take the opportunity to step down from the Shadow Cabinet. I have been and remain a firm supporter of Keir and the project we have built to offer Britain an electable Labour government after 13 wasted years under the Conservatives.
“It has been an immense privilege to serve you as both the Shadow Transport and Shadow Environment Secretary. I am proud of all the work we have done since you became leader to expose the Government’s failures on water quality, food security, animal welfare and a host of important environmental issues.”
“After a testing year, I want to focus on getting my health back to full strength so that I can make a full and active contribution to the general election campaign heading towards us, and to prioritise my constituents in Chadderton, Oldham and Royton.”
In accepting his resignation, Sir Keir Starmer replied to the statement on X with his own letter. It read:
“Thank you for your service and support in the Shadow Cabinet. I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in the future of the Labour Party and the people of Oldham West & Royton are lucky to have you.
“I understand the reasons for your decision. I know that you have faced a number of personal challenges in addition to your frontbench work and that these have taken a personal toll.
“MPs should never have to deal with abuse or violent threats, and I can appreciate how difficult this must have been for you and your family. You have always risen above this and remained focused on the principles that brought you into politics.”
The Shadow Cabinet reshuffle
Throughout the morning, Labour announced further changes to the Shadow Cabinet. Firstly, Lisa Nandy, who was previously the Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, has been announced as the new Shadow Minister for International Development.
The change, which has allowed Angela Rayner to take up the position of Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, is effectively a demotion for Nandy as she has gone from a Shadow Secretary of State role to a Shadow Ministerial role. She will now shadow the Government’s development minister, Andrew Mitchell.
In light of Jim McMahon’s resignation, Steve Reed has taken on the role as the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Reed was previously the Shadow Justice Secretary. That role has now been filled by Shabana Mahmood in a move that represents a promotion for the MP for Birmingham, Ladywood. Mahmood was previously Labour’s national campaign coordinator, however, she is now a key part of the Shadow Cabinet.
Finally, Pat McFadden has become the Shadow Chancellor of the Duch of Lancaster, confirming that Angela Rayner will not take that role with her into her new position. McFadden was previously the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, meaning this is another promotion within the party.
Final thought
The reshuffle of the Labour Party’s Shadow Cabinet by Sir Keir Starmer is a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position ahead of the next general election. By appointing Angela Rayner as the Shadow Levelling Up Secretary and retaining her as his deputy, Starmer has made a bold statement about the importance of addressing the country’s social and economic inequalities while also signalling his trust in Rayner.
The resignation of Jim McMahon and the demotion of Lisa Nandy are potential setbacks for the party, as they have both been vocal critics of Government policies and have a wealth of experience in their respective fields.