Starmer Unveils Diverse Cabinet Following Historic Labour Victory

Saturday 06 July 2024 - 08:43

In a historic moment for British politics, Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party has swept to power with a landslide victory, ushering in a new era of governance. On Friday, the incoming prime minister unveiled his first cabinet, which includes a record number of 11 women and marks several significant appointments.

Rachel Reeves has made history as the United Kingdom's first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, assuming the second-most important role in the government after 708 years of male dominance. Meanwhile, Angela Rayner has been named Deputy Prime Minister and will also take charge of the crucial Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.

Other high-profile cabinet positions include David Lammy as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary, and Ed Miliband as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary. The new cabinet reflects the diversity of modern Britain, with a significant majority of its members having received state education.

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Starmer pledged to "restore trust in politics" and lead a "government of service" that will immediately begin the work of "changing Britain." He has already received congratulatory calls from world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who praised the UK's continued support for Ukraine.

Starmer's appointments have not been without surprises, including the selection of Richard Hermer as Attorney General and the addition of several new peers, such as former government chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance and Timpson Group CEO James Timpson, who will serve as a prisons minister.

The new cabinet faces significant challenges, including addressing the country's economic stability, reducing NHS waiting lists, and tackling illegal immigration. However, with the historic diversity and breadth of experience represented, Starmer's team is poised to embark on an ambitious agenda to transform the United Kingdom.

The Cabinet team announced are

Sir Keir Starmer - Prime Minister
Angela Rayner - Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Rachel Reeves - Chancellor of the Exchequer
Pat McFadden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
David Lammy - Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Yvette Cooper - Secretary of State for the Home Department
John Healey - Secretary of State for Defence
Shabana Mahmood - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Wes Streeting - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Bridget Phillipson - Secretary of State for Education
Ed Miliband - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Liz Kendall - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Jonathan Reynolds - Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Peter Kyle - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Louise Haigh - Secretary of State for Transport
Steve Reed - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lisa Nandy - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales
Lucy Powell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Baroness Smith - Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords
Alan Campbell - Chief Whip in the House of Commons
Darren Jones - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Richard Hermer KC - Attorney General

Rishi Sunak has committed to staying on as party leader until the process for choosing his successor is established.

Penny Mordaunt - who previously served as Leader of the House of Commons and ran for prime minister twice - lost her seat in Portsmouth North, as did former cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.

One major factor in the Conservatives' poor performance was increased support for Reform UK - the party led by Nigel Farage won 14.3% of the vote, allowing Farage and four other Reform candidates to win seats in Parliament.

The Liberal Democrats have now become the third largest party in the House of Commons. The Green Party achieved its best-ever general election result, winning 6.8% of the vote across Great Britain.