19th September 2025
Cabinet Reshuffle
Is it work as usual?
“The latest cabinet reshuffle came on the heels of Angela Rayner’s resignation, which was due to her not paying the correct stamp duty (on the flat that she bought in Hove). Her role at the time was that of Deputy Prime minister. As well as being the housing minister, (The Independent).
According to the article in the Independent, the reshuffle happened as the result of the Prime-minister Sir Keir Starmer wished to relaunch his government. Lagging as it does behind Reform in the opinion polls. Plus, his struggle to deliver on his promises, (The Independent). On September 1st of this year, The Telegraph suggested that Sir Keir Starmer may be dissatisfied with Rachel Reeves, noting his appointment of Darren Jones as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Where he now reports directly to Sir Keir Starmer, instead of reporting to Rachel Reeves as his number two as in his previous role where he was as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was appointed to this role on July 4, 2024, according to the BBC. Indeed, the Headlines on the Telegraph the 1st of September 2025 is, and I quote, “Starmer Freezes Out Reeves in No 10 Reset.” Seems to underline this assumption. Darren Jones’s previous position has been filled by James Murray (per The Telegraph on the 1st of September).
According to ‘The Times’ Jonathan Reynolds will be the New Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, a post that is usually known as The Chief Whip.
Going further into the article, the Telegraph states that Sir Keir Starmer had said, “that he was not happy with how his first year in power had gone”. Also, in the same article it quotes that Sir Keir had said on BBC Radio Five Live, “I get the frustration and anger of the voters because they want change,” and adding that: “I want to deliver that change as soon as possible,” The Independent published an article on MSN on 6 September titled 'Starmer Cabinet Reshuffle: WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT AS PM OVERHAULS HIS TOP TEAM’.
Further on in the article by The Telegraph, Sir Keir is said to have called the latest shake-up as “Phase two of his premiership, Which, is now focused on deliver, deliver, deliver. Whereas part one had been focused on dealing with the Tory inheritance. No mention of being unhappy with Rachel Reeves.
Sir Keir Starmer has appointed two ministers to oversee economic matters. Darren Jones and Lady Shafik (Baroness) joins the team at No 10 the, with Shafik becoming Economic Adviser to Sir Keir after a lengthy search according to The Telegraph. Her extensive experience includes roles as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Permanent Secretary of International Development, Deputy Director of the IMF, President of the London School of Economics, and most recently, President of Columbia University. Mr York Smith, former Director General of Taxation and Welfare, is now Sir Keir’s Principal Private Secretary. This position was previously held by Nin Pandit, who will now be placed in the No 10 delivery unit, (Earlier, it was mentioned that No 10 is now focused on delivery).
The communications department has also undergone some changes in personnel. With James Lyons leaving his position as the most senior No 10 communications chief. He is being replaced by Tim Allen, who will become the Executive Director of Communications. Earlier this year he worked for the think tank “Focused on Fixing the Policies and Politics of Economic Growth”. Accordingly, he expected to use his expertise to communicate the upcoming budget, which is expected to be challenging. (The Telegraph 1st September 2025)
Liz Lloyd has left government, she had been the Policy Director for No 10. (The Telegraph, 1st September 2025)
Ms Alekson, who was Chief of Staff at No 10, is now being given a greater role over policy and delivery.
Mr John Van Reenan as a new adviser on economic growth. Will report to Rachel Reeves.
The other high profile moves as stated by the Independent, are Shabana Mahmood. Who is the new Home Secretary, having moved from being the Justice Secretary.
Yvette Cooper has been moved to head the Foreign Office. This post was previously held by David Lammy. Who has been slightly demoted to Justice secretary, replacing Mahmood. But he also has replaced Angela Raynor as Deputy Prime Minister.
Pat McFadden, who formerly was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This role has now been given to Darren Jones alongside his other role. Pat McFadden will now head the Department of Works and Pensions alongside the merged part of the Department of Education.
Liz Kendall, who previously headed the Department for Work and Pensions since Labour came to power. Is now Secretary of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Steve Reed is now the new Housing Secretary. Leaving his previous position at DEFRA. (The department for the environment, food and rural affairs).
Peter Kyle replaces Jonathan Reynolds.
Sir Allan Campbell has been given the role of Lord President of the Council. This position was formerly held by Lucy Powell, who although leaving government will attend Cabinet.
The Present Chancellor Rachel Reeves is not moving. Sir Keir Staarmer publicly stating his confidence in her. However, she has received wide criticism regarding her first budget. As she is thought by some to be responsible for, “Dampening economic growth and for causing a wave of job losses.’
The Independent (6th September 2025), made the following statement: The economy is the platform on which Labour hopes to resolve its bleak position in the polls as well as increasing its chances come the future election. Further, it states that “Ms Reeves’ November fiscal statement will be make or break for the government.”
The Times heads its article with, ‘Why No 10 reshuffle is all about the autumn budget.
Under which it states,” Sir Keir Starmer's reshuffle of his top team shows his intent to turn things around”. Believing that the reshuffle is another attempt to revive his faltering premiership. Although they say that Sir Keir and Reeves have talked about the Autumn Budget in terms of it being challenging “on any measure”.
References
The Independent on msn www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/starmer-cabinet-reshuffle-who-is-in-and-who-is-out-as-pm-overhauls-his-topteam/ar-AA1LXAgu?oci
The Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/09/01/keir-starmer-reset-premiership-minireshuffle-darren-jones/?msockid=3d3d96...
The Times www.thetimes.come/uk/politics/article/autumn-budget-2025-labour-reshuffle...