Crisis Rocks UK Labour Party As Rayner Quits, Lammy Named Deputy Prime Minister

United Kingdom Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has appointed former Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, following the shock resignation of Angela Rayner.

Rayner, a high-profile Labour politician with strong working-class support, stepped down abruptly, throwing the party into fresh crisis and raising questions over its unity ahead of future elections.

Cabinet Shake-up

As part of the sweeping changes, Yvette Cooper was moved from the Home Office to the Foreign Office, while Shabana Mahmood replaced her as Home Secretary.

Other ministers affected include Steve Reed, now Housing Secretary; Pat McFadden, head of an expanded Work and Pensions ministry; Douglas Alexander, Scotland Secretary; Liz Kendall, Science and Technology Secretary; Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary; Peter Kyle, Business Secretary; Jonathan Reynolds, Chief Whip; and Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons.

Lucy Powell and Ian Murray lost their cabinet positions in the reshuffle.

Party Fallout

Rayner’s resignation has unsettled Labour ranks, with analysts warning that her exit could weaken the party’s bond with traditional working-class voters. The development has also set the stage for a fierce deputy leadership contest between Labour’s centrist bloc and its left wing.

Starmer’s government is also grappling with a £40 billion budget shortfall and rising discontent over welfare and immigration policies, challenges that have boosted support for Reform UK.

Lammy’s Task

Lammy, who has long campaigned for criminal justice reform, now steps into his new role at a crucial moment as Parliament prepares to debate the Sentencing Bill. The Prison Reform Trust described his appointment as “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”

Observers believe the reshuffle is a defining moment for Starmer, whose leadership will be tested by economic pressures, growing populism, and internal party divisions.