The Spectator

Full list: Keir Starmer’s new Shadow Cabinet

Keir Starmer, the newly elected leader of the Labour party, has taken no prisoners with his cabinet reshuffle. Corbyn allies like Richard Burgon are out, and Ed Miliband is back. Here is the full make-up of Starmer’s top team:

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Anneliese Dodds
Formerly: John McDonnell

An Oxford PPE graduate, Dodds is a long time supporter of Starmer’s leadership campaign. She has served as a shadow Treasury minister since July 2017. She had even been tipped for promotion by the former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell in early March, as he said he was ‘hoping she gets a significant role in the new administration’. Dodds is the first woman to be appointed Shadow Chancellor (and potentially Chancellor, if elected to office).

Deputy leader of the Labour party: Angela Rayner – elected to the role with 52.6 per cent of the vote

Formerly: vacant after Tom Watson’s resignation

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Lisa Nandy
Formerly: Emily Thornberry

Having come third in the leadership contest, Lisa Nandy had been promised a ‘top job’ by Starmer.

Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office): Rachel Reeves
Formerly: Christian Matheson, Jon Trickett, Ian Lavery – Lavery and Trickett have been ‘stood down’ by Starmer.


A former Bank of England economist and Oxford PPE graduate, Reeves chairs the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee. Reeves is someone who was critical of Corbyn when leader so her return to the frontbench is a sign of Starmer diversifying the top team.

Shadow Home Secretary: Nick Thomas-Symonds
Formerly: Diane Abbott

The Welsh Labour MP previously served on the Labour front bench as shadow solicitor general under Jeremy Corbyn.

Shadow Secretary of State for Health: Jonathan Ashworth

Formerly: Jonathan Ashworth

Opposition Chief Whip (Commons): Nicholas Brown

Nick Brown first held the job of Chief Whip in 1997, he has now served in the role under five Labour leaders.

Opposition Chief Whip (Lords): Lord McAvoy

Formerly: Lord McAvoy

Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Baroness Smith of Basildon

Formerly: Baroness Smith of Basildon

Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Jo Stevens

Formerly: Tracy Brabin

Shadow Lord President of the Council

Formerly: Jon Trickett

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:  Luke Pollard

Formerly: Luke Pollard

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Bridget Philipson

Formerly: Peter Dowd

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Ed Miliband
Formerly: Rebecca Long-Bailey

The former Labour leader has returned to frontline politics – climate change is an issue Miliband has been very vocal on as a backbencher. 

Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: David Lammy

Formerly: Richard Burgon – told by Starmer that he’s no longer in the Shadow Cabinet

Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union: Post dissolved 

Formerly: Keir Starmer

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development: Preet Kaur Gill

Formerly: Dan Carden

Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Rebecca Long-Bailey
Formerly: Angela Rayner

Long-Bailey had been promised a shadow cabinet role by Starmer during the course of the contest.

Shadow Chief Whip (Lords): Lord McAvoy

Formerly: Lord McAvoy

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Valerie Vaz

Formerly: Valerie Vaz

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government: Steve Reed

Formerly: Andrew Gwynne – has asked to return to the backbenches after a ‘bruising’ and ‘tortuous’ election campaign.

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Jim McMahon

Formerly: Andy McDonald

Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities: Marsha de Cordova

Formerly: Dawn Butler

Shadow Secretary of State for Housing: Thangam Debbonaire

Formerly: John Healey

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: John Healey

Formerly: Nia Griffith

Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights: Andy McDonald

Formerly: Rachael Maskell

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Jonathan Reynolds

Formerly: Margaret Greenwood

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Louise Haigh

Formerly: Tony Lloyd

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland: Ian Murray

Formerly: Tony Lloyd

Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade: Emily Thornberry

Formerly: Barry Gardiner

Shadow Minister (Mental Health and Social Care): Rosena Allin-Khan

Formerly: Barbara Keeley

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales: Nia Griffith

Formerly: Christina Rees

Shadow Attorney General: Lord Falconer

Formerly: Baroness Chakrabarti


Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Engagement: Cat Smith

Formerly: Cat Smith


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