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Shabana Mahmood, a British politician of Pakistani descent, was appointed the UK’s Home Secretary on Friday, marking her as the first Muslim to hold this position. Her appointment came amidst Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s significant cabinet overhaul, his first since assuming office in July 2024.
Starmer’s reshuffle aimed to reinforce his authority and included a series of strategic selections, particularly after the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. The move was part of a broader effort to reshape his team, which previously focused on strengthening economic guidance.
At age 44, Mahmood, who previously served as a barrister and held the title of Justice Minister, now oversees the Home Office. She has been a Member of Parliament since 2010, with experience in various shadow cabinet roles, although she chose not to join Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow team when he led the Labour Party.
This cabinet shake-up was also driven by the departure of Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister. Other notable changes included Yvette Cooper moving from the Home Office to become Foreign Secretary and David Lammy elevating to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary.
Rayner’s exit was far more impactful than expected, prompting Starmer to end weeks of speculation related to her tax affairs. The independent adviser concluded that Rayner had violated the ministerial code by not paying the correct taxes, leaving Starmer with limited options to defend her.
One Labour insider commented that Angela Rayner was a “big figure” who would be difficult to replace, and described the new appointments as “solid,” even if they lacked excitement.
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