Former Lambeth LBC leader Steve Reed has become the new shadow communities and local government secretary replacing Andrew Gwynne.
Mr Reed, who became a Croydon MP in 2012 was previously Lambeth leader from 2006-12 where he pioneered the ‘cooperative council’ concept.
He later became shadow local government minister but resigned in 2016. A separate shadow cabinet post covering housing is filled by Bristol MP and former classical musician Thangam Debonnaire.
In the new shadow cabinet line-up announced by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, his predecessor bar one Ed Miliband makes a surprise return as shadow business secretary while John Healey is shadow defence secretary.
Jon Ashworth keeps his portfolio at health and social care. Cat Smith becomes shadow minister for young people and voter engagement while former Oldham MBC leader Jim McMahon becomes shadow transport secretary.
Andrew Gwynne joined John McDonnell and Diane Abbott in resigning from the shadow cabinet before the reshuffle, and in a letter to Keir Starmer complained he had been ‘completely sidelined’ during the 2019 general election.
Tony Lloyd, who was both shadow Scottish secretary and Northern Ireland secretary, has been hospitalised with coronavirus. Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Louise Haigh as interim Northern Ireland secretary.
The new Shadow Cabinet under Sir Keir Starmer:
- Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition
- Angela Rayner, Deputy leader and chair of the Labour Party
- Anneliese Dodds, Shadow chancellor of the exchequer
- Lisa Nandy, Shadow foreign secretary
- Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow home secretary
- Rachel Reeves, Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- David Lammy, Shadow justice secretary
- John Healey, Shadow defence secretary
- Ed Miliband, Shadow business, energy and industrial secretary
- Emily Thornberry, Shadow international trade secretary
- Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow work and pensions secretary
- Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow health and social care secretary
- Rebecca Long-Bailey, Shadow education secretary
- Jo Stevens, Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary
- Bridget Philipson, Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury
- Luke Pollard, Shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary
- Steve Reed, Shadow communities and local government secretary
- Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow housing secretary
- Jim McMahon, Shadow transport secretary
- Preet Kaur Gill, Shadow international development secretary
- Louise Haigh, Shadow Northern Ireland secretary (interim)
- Ian Murray, Shadow Scotland secretary
- Nia Griffith, Shadow Wales secretary
- Marsha de Cordova, Shadow women and equalities secretary
- Andy McDonald, Shadow employment rights and protections secretary
- Rosena Allin-Khan, Shadow minister for mental health
- Cat Smith, Shadow minister for young people and voter engagement
- Lord Falconer, Shadow Attorney General
- Valerie Vaz, Shadow leader of the House
- Nick Brown, Opposition chief whip
- Baroness ASmith, Shadow leader of the Lords
- Lord McAvoy, Lords’ Opposition chief whip
