The new British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has formed his first cabinet. The new Labor government includes a record number of women. For the first time in UK history, a woman becomes Chancellor of the Exchequer.
One of the first tasks of the new prime minister is to form a government. Sir Keir Starmer He started doing it shortly after walking through the door of 10 Downing Street. Friday eveningafter his resounding electoral victory.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves
Among the key figures of his new Government is Rachel Reeves. The former Bank of England economist is the first woman to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer. His official title of Chancellor of the Exchequer It dates back to the 16th century. The position of Chancellor of the Exchequer is considered the second most important in the cabinet after that of prime minister. In this role, Reeves, 45, heads the Treasury, the Ministry of Finance, and will act as a liaison with international financial institutions.
Reeves once explained that he turned down a job at the renowned investment bank Goldman Sachs to enter politics, even though he would have earned “a lot more” there.
His appointment is considered a important sign of credibility and responsibility of Labor on financial matters.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner
Sir Keir’s official deputy chair will be Angela Rayner. Rayner, 44, who has been deputy party leader since 2020, will become Minister of Social Equality, Housing and Communities.
He has often spoken of the difficult circumstances in which he grew up. Rayner comes from Greater Manchester, grew up in a council housing block, became a mother at 16 and dropped out of school. She says she owes it to the social policies of the then Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair not having been “discarded”.
Rayner began her career as a union official before being elected member of the House of Commons in 2015.
Foreign Minister David Lammy
David Lammy is the new Foreign Secretary. This 51-year-old Briton was the first black Briton to attend the Harvard Law School, in United States. There she met Barack Obama, with whom she has maintained friendly relations ever since. Lammy pledged to ensure “Britain reconnects internationally for our security and prosperity at home”.
Yvette Cooper, Minister of the Interior
As Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper (55) will be responsible for key issues such as immigration and policing.
As one of only five members of the Starmer Governmentwas already part of the Cabinet during the time of the last Labor prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Secretary of Defense John Healey
Other veteran of the Blair years will be the new Secretary of Defense. John Healey (64 years old) was in favor of the Iraq war at the time and has assured during his visits to Ukraine that the British support for the attacked country for Russia is “as strong as steel.”
The coordinator of the national campaign of the Labor Party, Pat McFaddenbecomes Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In terms of protocol, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is the most senior member of the Cabinet after the Prime Minister. At 59 years old, he is in charge of coordinating the work of the Government.
Shabana Mahmood becomes Minister of Justice. She was the first Muslim woman elected to the House of Commons in 2010. She has repeatedly criticized Sir Keir for his stance on the Gaza war and has spoken out against the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip since principle.
Starmer’s cabinet includes the largest number of female ministers in history and more than 40% of Labor MPs in the Commons are women.
In his victory speech Friday morning, he promised to restore confidence in politics and build a “service government”.
Labour’s election manifesto lists five objectives. Among them, boost economic growth, promote clean energy, reduce violent crime, reform education and improve and invest in the weakened National Health Service.
The proposals include lowering the voting age to 16, nationalize public transportfix another million potholes on English roads, build new prisons, build 1.5 million new homesadvocate for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and cancel the deportation agreement with Rwanda.
