SEVERAL allies of Keir Starmer have been sacked from Cabinet – including deputy prime minister David Lammy and chancellor Rachel Reeves – by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Reeves has said she will no longer be Chancellor, as she wished her successor in No 11 “the very best of luck” in a post on social media.
Deputy prime minister Lammy also confirmed he is no longer in the Cabinet as he said he will “support this Labour Government from the backbenches” in a post on Twitter/X while Peter Kyle, who was business secretary, is understood to have lost his job also.
The first Cabinet minister to officially go was Steve Reed, who revealed he was no longer housing secretary in a letter in which he stated that he was “disappointed to be leaving government now”.
It comes after Burnham spoke to Donald Trump in one of his first phone calls after taking office, while tributes poured in from world leaders including senior European Union figures.
The full list of Keir Starmer's allies that have been sacked from Cabinet:
- Rachel Reeves: Chancellor of the exchequer
- David Lammy: Deputy prime minister and justice secretary
- Steve Reid: Housing secretary
- Peter Kyle: Business secretary
- Lord Richard Hermer: Attorney general
- Liz Kendall: Science, innovation and technology secretary
- Jo Stevens: Welsh secretary
- Hilary Benn: Northern Irish secretary
- Darren Jones: Chief secretary to the prime minister
- Jenny Chapman: Development minister
- Nick Thomas-Symonds: EU relations minister and paymaster general
In a post on Twitter/X, Reeves wrote: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
“The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.
“Stability restored, investment delivered and reform to our economy under way.
“I said when I was appointed Chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives ordinary working class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have.
“And to every young woman and girl, let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams.
“I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his Cabinet.
“You have my full support and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour Government deliver the change the country needs.”
Lammy said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life, coming from humble beginnings in Tottenham, to serve in government as Keir Starmer’s Foreign Secretary, Justice Secretary and Britain’s first Black Deputy Prime Minister.
“I am immensely proud of what we achieved, in Opposition and in Government."
“I would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish Andy Burnham and the new Cabinet every success,” he added.
“I will continue to serve the great people of Tottenham, support this Labour government from the backbenches and do everything I can to help defeat Reform again at the next general election.”
Attorney general Lord Richard Hermer confirmed he was leaving the Cabinet, saying he will support Burnham’s Labour government from the backbenches.
Saying he was proud to have “acted with integrity at every step over the turbulent past few months”, Reed wrote: “Keir Starmer showed loyalty to me by appointing me to his Cabinet. I make no apology for returning that loyalty. It’s what is expected of functioning teams, and I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you.”
After his speech, Burnham received hugs, applause and a kiss from his wife Marie-France van Heel, before the pair entered the black door of No 10 to be greeted by Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo and clapped in by staff.
Among his first tasks is the selection of his new Cabinet, which began late on Monday evening.
