Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a major reshuffle of the Home Office following criticism over illegal migration, policing issues, and grooming gang scandals that have damaged Labour’s standing in the polls. With Reform UK maintaining a 10-point lead and Nigel Farage capitalising on ongoing small boat arrivals, Sir Keir appears to have lost patience with the team appointed last year. Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been moved to Foreign Secretary, while other ministers, including Dame Diana Johnson and Dame Angela Eagle, have been reassigned to new departments. Nottingham North MP Alex Norris and Croydon West MP Sarah Jones have been promoted to the Home Office, bringing less public profile but reputations for diligent ministerial work.
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Concerns over the Home Office’s performance, including record numbers of small boat arrivals this summer and the handling of migrant hotels, have been cited as key factors behind the reshuffle. The changes coincided with Reform UK promoting Lucy Connolly as “a political prisoner” at a party conference, drawing attention to Labour’s challenges in addressing public concerns over policing and immigration. Sir Keir aims to strengthen his government’s response, with Shabana Mahmood overseeing a more robust approach within the Home Office, while Anna Turley has been appointed party chair, and solicitor general Ellie Reeves has been demoted.
The Department for Business and Trade also saw significant changes, with Jonathan Reynolds demoted to Chief Whip and Douglas Alexander taking over as Scottish Secretary. Jason Stockwood, former head of Match.com, has been appointed to Mr Alexander’s former trade role. Critics, however, have questioned whether the reshuffle represents real change, with senior party figures suggesting that those responsible for Labour’s early missteps have largely been moved rather than replaced. Former MP Rosie Duffield described it as “shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic,” while Ian Lavery called for a broader change in direction to address immigration and welfare policy more decisively.
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Labour insiders have voiced concern over the departure of Angela Rayner, describing her absence as a loss of left-wing balance within the Cabinet. One MP argued that the reshuffle remains largely cosmetic, with few structural changes to policy-making. Allies of Ms Rayner have stated that she will continue to influence party decisions from the backbenches. With crucial Scottish Parliament elections next year, Labour faces pressure to present a united and effective front, while critics warn that continued poor performance could prompt attempts to replace Sir Keir as party leader.
