UK's Leader Starmer undergoes extensive cabinet reorganization following departure of deputy

British Government Reshuffle: Keir Starmer Makes Significant Changes

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has initiated a significant government reshuffle following the resignation of Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary. The reshuffle has seen several key appointments and changes in roles.

Emilio Casalicchio reported from Birmingham for this story. The most notable appointments include Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, the most senior interior minister, and David Lammy as Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister. Peter Kyle and Steve Reed have moved from their previous roles to head up the business and housing departments, respectively.

The timing of Rayner's exit could be seen as awkward for Starmer, as it occurred just before Nigel Farage's speech at his party's conference. Farage claims that Rayner's exit as Deputy Labour Leader could lead to splits within the Labour Party. However, Starmer's Labour Party is consistently below Reform UK, led by Farage, in the polls.

Angela Rayner, seen as one of the Cabinet's better communicators, has resigned due to an ethics probe into her financial affairs. Her exit raises the prospect of a fraught contest to replace her in the deputy leadership post. The candidates nominated by the Labour Party to potentially succeed Rayner are Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell.

There may be disagreements among affiliated unions on the National Executive Committee (NEC) regarding the timetable and process for the deputy leadership election. The Labour party's ruling NEC is expected to meet next week to discuss the process for electing a deputy leader.

In other changes, Yvette Cooper has been promoted to Foreign Secretary, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to remain in her post. This means all three of Britain's "great offices of state" will be held by a woman for the first time. Pat McFadden, a key enforcer for Keir Starmer, has taken over a new growth-focused department.

Liz Kendall has been appointed to head up the science and tech department, and Ian Lavery, a former member of Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet, has expressed the need for Rayner's successor to reflect the broad views within the party. Maurice Glasman, a prominent figure on the Labour right, has praised Mahmood's appointment. Mahmood will now be responsible for curbing undocumented migration.

Lucy Powell and Ian Murray have been removed from their roles. A Labour MP has stated that the party does not need a deputy leadership election. However, the reshuffle and the upcoming deputy leadership election are expected to shape the direction of the Labour Party in the coming months.

UK's Leader Starmer undergoes extensive cabinet reorganization following departure of deputy