Andy Burnham has ousted key figures from the Labour Government after pledging to deliver the biggest change to British politics in 40 years.
Andy Burnham has made sweeping changes to the Labour Cabinet on his first day as PM (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has kicked off his premiership with a major Cabinet reshuffle, axing high-profile ministers from key positions in Number 10. Among the first to be shown the door were Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Environment and Housing Secretary Steve Reed.
The departure of three Sir Keir Starmer loyalists set the tone for the new Prime Minister’s Government, with a number of other major players also shown the door on his first day in the job. Peter Kyle, who was Business Secretary, former Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, and Lord Hermer, now ex-Attorney General, confirmed they were stepping down this afternoon.
Jo Stevens also lost her job as Secretary of State for Wales and Sir Keir’s Chief Secretary Darren Jones was told he “won’t be a part of the new Cabinet”.
Rachel Reeves and David Lammy were among the first to be ousted from Andy Burnham’s Government (Image: Getty)
Hilary Benn, who served as Northern Ireland Secretary, was another casualty of the leadership change, as was Health Secretary James Murray.
Foreign Office Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington and EU Relations Minister and Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds were also ousted.
The departing ministers issued statements of varying degrees of regret, with Mr Reed admitting he was “disappointed to be leaving Government now” in a letter to Mr Burnham.
Mr Lammy, who was also Justice Secretary, said he “would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet” but conceded that “a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team”.
Ms Reeves, whose time as Chancellor was closely linked to Mr Starmer’s unpopular premiership, said the role had been “the privilege of my life” and wished “the very best of luck” to Mr Burnham, her successor and the incoming Cabinet.
The 11 Cabinet members just axed by Andy Burnham
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves
- Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy
- Environment and Housing Secretary Steve Reed
- Business Secretary Peter Kyle
- Technology Secretary Liz Kendall
- Attorney General Lord Hermer
- Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens
- Chief Secretary Darren Jones
- Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn
- Health Secretary James Murray
- Foreign Office Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman of Darlington
- EU Relations Minister and Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds