5th July, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
New UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has begun the appointment of his cabinet as he appointed some Labour stalwarts to occupy offices.
He has so far appointed 23 of his cabinet members with more to come later.
The PM appointed Angela Rayner as the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for levelling up, Housing and Communities, he announced Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. Reeves has become the first female Chancellor.
David Lammy was announced as Foreign Secretary; Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary, John Healey as Defence Secretary and Pat McFadden as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Starmer also named Hilary Benn as Northern Ireland Secretary, Ian Murray as Scottish Secretary, Jo Stevens as Welsh Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds as Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary and Louise Haigh as Transport Secretary.
The PM further appointed Shabana Mahmood as Justice Secretary, Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary, Ed Miliband as the Energy Secretary and Liz Kendall as Work and Pensions Secretary.
Also Steve Reed has been appointed as Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary; Lisa Nandy as Culture Secretary and Diane Abbott as Mother of the House.
Lucy Powell has been appointed Lord President of the Council and leader of the House of Commons, while Baroness Smith of Basildon has been appointed Lord Privy Seal and leader of the House of Lords.
