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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Shabana Mahmood as home secretary, replacing Yvette Cooper, in a cabinet reshuffle triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister.
Rayner stepped down after admitting to underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty, breaching the ministerial code.
Mahmood, previously justice secretary, now oversees immigration, asylum hotels, and border security. David Lammy becomes deputy prime minister and justice secretary, while Cooper takes over as foreign secretary. Rachel Reeves remains Chancellor, marking a historic female-led trio in the top offices.
Pat McFadden will lead a new “super ministry,” and Steve Reed becomes housing secretary.
Mahmood, Birmingham Ladywood MP and the most senior Muslim woman in government, brings a robust background, having tackled prison overcrowding and court backlogs. Her socially conservative stance, aligned with Blue Labour, shapes her immigration views.
In a Spectator interview with Michael Gove, she called for a “fair managed migration system” that balances strict enforcement with equitable rules, reflecting her constituents’ concerns. She has criticized the European Convention on Human Rights’ Article 8 for complicating deportations and supports reforms to prioritize public sentiment on immigration control.
Mahmood faces urgent challenges, including record Channel crossings and public discontent over asylum hotels. Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council urged her to end asylum hotels and expedite applications. Rayner’s exit followed intense scrutiny over her tax affairs, with Starmer praising her as a “trusted colleague.”
Opposition leaders Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage slammed Starmer’s leadership, calling the government “sinking” and “in crisis.” Mahmood’s appointment is seen as a bold move to stabilize Labour amid economic and political pressures.
This article was originally published by SnD Media.
