Heather Jameson 05 July 2024

DLUHC team wipeout in Labour landslide

DLUHC team wipeout in Labour landslide image
Image: Martin Suker / Shutterstock.com.

The Conservative Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) team has faced a near wipe out in Labour's election landslide.

However, the Labour victory has give a raft of councillors parliamentary seats, including Local Government Association chair Shaun Davies, who will be succeeded in his role by Cheshire West and Chester leader Louise Gittins.

While levelling up secretary of state Michael Gove did not stand at yesterday's General Election, local government minister Simon Hoare was the only member of the DLUHC line up to hold his North Dorset seat for the next parliament.

Housing ministers Lee Rowley and Felicity Buchan lost to Labour in North East Derbyshire and Kensington and Bayswater respectively.

Levelling up minister Jacob Young lost his Redcar seat to former deputy director of New Local Anna Turley, who served as Labour MP for the constituency between 2015-19.

Other former departmental politicians losing their seats include Jake Berry, Grant Shapps, and Sir Simon Clarke, while several other key players – including former secretary of state Greg Clark and former local government minister Bob Neill – stepped down before the election.

Sir Keir Starmer, who will become the Prime Minister later today, has already indicated he will keep current shadow levelling up secretary Angela Rayner in post. The current shadow line up – including housing minister Matthew Pennycook, local government minister Jim McMahon, and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage – have yet to be confirmed.

In a victory speech, Sir Keir said: ‘Change begins now.'

He added: ‘Now we can look forward, walk into the morning, the sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day, shining once again, on a country with the opportunity after 14 years to get its future back.'

Responding to the election results, new LGA chair Cllr Gittins said

Cllr Gittins said: ‘We are entering a period of huge change but also opportunity and my immediate priority is working with the new government on a fundamental reset of the relationship between central and local government, one of trust and mutual respect.'

With just two seats to go the results are:

  • Labour: 412 seats, +211
  • Conservative: 121 seats, -250
  • Liberal Democrats: 71 seats, +63
  • SNP: 9 seats, -38
  • Independents: 6 seats, +6
  • Democratic Unionist Party: 5 Seats, -5
  • Reform UK: 4 seats, +4
  • Green: 4 seats, +3
  • Plaid Cymru: 4 seats, +2
  • Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2 seats, +2
  • Alliance Party, Ulster Unionist Party, Traditional Unionist Voice: 1 seat each

To find out more about what local government stakeholders want from the new government, check out our guide, Transforming Local Government: A Strategic Guide for Labour. Download your complimentary copy now!

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Social Work and Social Care

Trafford Council
£100,731 to £104,625
You will join a values-driven senior leadership team, providing visible and responsive leadership. Manchester
Recuriter: Trafford Council

Housing Ombudsman

Housing Ombudsman Service
£130,095 per annum, negotiable based on experience.
The Housing Ombudsman Service allows colleagues to choose if they wish to work in the London office, from home or a hybrid of the two London (Greater)
Recuriter: Housing Ombudsman Service

Commercial Lawyer - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £60.0000 per hour
Commercial Lawyer - Harlow District Council Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6 Months £46.78 PAYE / £60.00 UmbrellaClosing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Lawyer - Planning and Highways

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£51,356 to £56,494 + £3000 Market Rate Supplement
Do you want to make a difference to local people? Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Team Manager - Children Looked After

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Up to £62,451 per annum
Team ManagerChildren Looked After S... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner