U.K. wakes up to new government as Labour Party looks set to win election: Follow live

Posted by Admin July 5, 2024 World

With Keir Starmer now ensconced in No. 10 Downing St., he’s begun inviting the members of his shadow Cabinet through the black door one at a time, presumably to make them bona fide ministers. So who can we expect to be the key movers and shakers in the incoming prime minister’s Cabinet?

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner, who has served as the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne since 2015, is expected to become the deputy prime minister, as well as the secretary of state for leveling up, housing and communities. She left school at 16 to have her first child, before rising through union ranks, joining the party and growing her influence.

Rachel Reeves has been an MP since 2010 and has served as shadow chancellor in recent years. She is expected to become the U.K.’s first female chancellor of the exchequer, taking over from Jeremy Hunt. Reeves has aggressively courted the business community in the run-up to the election in an attempt to dispel the perception of Labour as economically feckless.

David Lammy, who has represented Tottenham since 2000, is likely to serve as foreign secretary after being appointed to Starmer’s then-shadow Cabinet in 2021. Earlier this year, the long-term MP walked back historical remarks calling Donald Trump “a neo-Nazi sympathizer,” promising to find “common cause” with the former president if he wins re-election.

One of the longest-serving MPs expected to join the new Cabinet, Yvette Cooper has been an MP since 1997, serving in the finance ministry and as pensions secretary when Gordon Brown was prime minister. She is expected to take on the role of home secretary, leading on issues including immigration and national security.

Pat McFadden ran Labour’s election campaign and is expected to become chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a broad role that involves engagement across government departments.

Wes Streeting, who has represented Ilford North since 2015, would become the health secretary after being appointed to the shadow role in 2021. He has built his profile in recent years as one of Labour’s most consistent media performers.

Bridget Phillipson is expected to become education secretary, while Ed Miliband, once leader of the Labour Party, is expected to become secretary of state for energy security and net zero.