London, UK – In a significant development for the Labour Party and the UK government, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been appointed as the new Deputy Prime Minister, a move that follows the resignation of Angela Rayner amidst a tax scandal. The appointment is part of a broader cabinet reshuffle initiated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Angela Rayner stepped down from her roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Minister after admitting she underpaid tax on her flat, acknowledging that she “did not meet the highest standards” of ministerial conduct. In a letter to the Prime Minister, she expressed deep regret for not seeking “additional specialist tax advice” and took “full responsibility for this error.”
Her departure has triggered turmoil within the Labour Party, which is reportedly now trailing the Reform UK party in national polls. Rayner, a key figure from the party’s left and widely seen as a potential future leader, leaves a significant void.
In addition to his new role as Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy will also assume the position of Justice Secretary. This marks a major elevation for Lammy, who had been serving as Foreign Secretary. The reshuffle also includes several other key appointments:
- Yvette Cooper moves from the interior ministry to replace Lammy as Foreign Secretary.
- Shabana Mahmood, previously Justice Secretary, now takes over as Home Secretary.
The reshuffle also saw the departure of House of Commons leader Lucy Powell and Scotland secretary Ian Murray, who both confirmed their exits from government.
Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged his sadness at losing Rayner from his government, stating that she, “will remain a major figure in our party.” However, her resignation is viewed as a major setback for the Starmer government, which has faced a series of crises since taking power in July 2024. The reshuffle is an apparent attempt to stabilize the government and address voter “disenchantment” with mainstream politics.
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