Labour leader Keir Starmer has made some large changes to his shadow cabinet.
It comes after Labour lost control of eight councils in last Thursday’s local elections and suffered a defeat like never before to the Conservatives at the Hartlepool by-election.
Angela Rayner
Angela Rayner has been promoted from Party Chair to the role of Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, shadowing Michael Gove.
The move was controversial and has been called ‘cowardly’ on behalf of Starmer.
The Guardian claims Starmer firstly offered Rayner a role on the front bench covering social care, but she felt this was a large demotion.
I'm looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work.
We will reconnect with the voters that have lost faith in the Labour Party, especially in our traditional heartlands, through a policy offer that shows that we speak for the working class.https://t.co/0VIh45zPA0
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) May 10, 2021
Many are suggesting that Starmer’s attempts to sideline her are increasing the chances that he could face a leadership challenge in the near future.
In fact, her treatment has raised questions about his leadership even amongst longtime supporters.
Shadow Cabinet Reshuffle
Frontbencher, Nick Brown, has been sacked as opposition Chief Whip, a role that he has had under five different Labour Leaders.
Valerie Vaz, Shadow Leader, has also lost her role in the Cabinet.
Rachel Reeves has been promoted from Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to Shadow Chancellor.
Former Shadow Cabinet Minister, Jon Trickett, told the Guardian: “I think that he’s not trustworthy. If it comes to the question of ought there to be a leadership challenge, I don’t think we should rule it out.”
Sir Alan Campbell has been promoted from position of Deputy Chief Whip to Chief Whip, while Shabana Mahmood takes the role of Labour Campaigns Coordinator.
Thangam Debbonaire becomes Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, leaving her role as Shadow Housing Minister.
Anneliese Dodds was demoted from Shadow Chancellor to party chair.
Local Elections Performance
Though Labour were disappointed with their losses, they won half of the seats in Wales and took the mayoral posts off the Tories in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire as well as West England.
Greater Manchester also re-elected Mayor Andy Burnham, taking the seat from the Tories.
Starmer’s reshuffling has been met with criticism by many.
Former Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbot, said: “[It] hasn’t been fantastically successful.”
Labour’s Liverpool Riverside MP, Kim Johnson, agree, calling it a “desperate act of cowardice.”
Starmer however, has said that he takes full responsibility for Labour’s election results in England.
Amelia Cutting
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