Rachel Reeves becomes the UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, while David Lammy is appointed Foreign Secretary.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his new cabinet after his centre-left Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
On Friday, Starmer appointed Rachel Reeves as the first woman to hold the post in British history. The former chess champion and Bank of England economist has pledged to grow the country’s economy while exercising strong fiscal discipline.
“It is the honour of my life to be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer,” Keanu Reeves wrote on social media platform X.
“To every young girl and woman reading this, let us show today that there should be no limits to your ambitions.”
Starmer appointed David Lammy, a pioneering lawmaker, as foreign secretary.
Born to Guyanese immigrant parents, Lammy grew up in Tottenham, a north London borough where he has been represented in Parliament since 2000.
Lammy became the youngest MP when he was first elected at the age of 27. He quickly gained ministerial experience, serving in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
On Friday, Lammy reiterated his support for international efforts to secure an “immediate ceasefire” in Israel’s war on Gaza and the release of remaining hostages after being appointed foreign secretary.
The 51-year-old said he would “work with tireless diplomacy” to achieve these dual objectives.
“We all recognise the agony of the communities who have seen the scenes coming out of Israel and Gaza,” said Mr Lammy of the Foreign Office.
“But now it is time to get to work, with tireless diplomacy, to support an immediate ceasefire and move towards the release of these hostages.”
Rayner appointed Starmer’s deputy
Angela Rayner, elected deputy leader of the party in 2020 – chosen independently of the current leader by party members – will be Starmer’s deputy prime minister and will retain responsibilities for levelling up, housing and communities.
The 44-year-old has often spoken about her difficult past, growing up in a deprived social housing area and leaving school early as a young mother.
She began her career as a union official before embarking on a career as a legislator.
Yvette Cooper, who served in former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet between 2008 and 2010 as chief secretary to the Treasury and work and pensions secretary, has been appointed home secretary.
The first surprise in the Labour leader’s leadership team was the promotion of Lisa Nandy to culture secretary after Thangam Debbonaire, who held the role in the shadow cabinet, lost her seat to the Green Party.
Otherwise, the Cabinet reflects Starmer’s shadow team, including Pat McFadden, who played a central role in shaping Labour’s election campaign, being appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
John Healey has been appointed Defence Secretary and Shabana Mahmood has been appointed Justice Secretary. Wes Streeting has been appointed Health Secretary and Bridget Phillipson has been appointed Education Secretary.
Ed Miliband, former Labour leader and leader of the opposition between 2010 and 2015, has been appointed Secretary of State for Energy. Lucy Powell will be the leader of the House of Commons.
