Burnham Sacks Starmer Loyalists From Cabinet
Rachel Reeves has been sacked as Chancellor. (Alamy)
3 min read
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has sacked Rachel Reeves as chancellor ahead of appointing his first Cabinet.
Reeves has left government along with David Lammy, who was Starmer's deputy prime minister, and Darren Jones, who was Starmer's chief secretary and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Steve Reed (communities), Peter Kyle (business), Liz Kendall (technology) and Nick Thomas-Symonds (paymaster general) have all left their posts.
Lord Hermer, who was a staunch defender of Starmer throughout his premiership, has been removed as attorney general.
All were close allies of Starmer, who formally resigned as prime minister on Monday to make way for Burnham.
Jo Stevens and Hilary Benn are leaving their roles as Northern Ireland and Wales secretaries respectively.
In a resignation speech outside No 10 earlier today, Starmer said he was leaving office with "good grace" and a "smile".
The new PM will appoint his first cabinet on Monday, with allies Angela Rayner, Lou Haigh and Lucy Powell all expected to be given senior ministerial positions.
In a statement on X, Reeves, who was the first female chancellor, said: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.
"Stability restored, investment delivered and reform to our economy under way. I said when I was appointed Chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives [of] ordinary working class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have.
"And to every young woman and girl, let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams.
"I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his cabinet. You have my full support, and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour government deliver the change the country needs.”
Reed was the first to announce his departure on Monday as Burnham entered No 10, saying he wishes the new administration "every success".
However, in his resignation letter, Reed appeared to swipe at Labour MPs who helped force Starmer out, writing: “Keir Starmer showed loyalty to me by appointing me to his Cabinet. I make no apology for returning that loyalty. I make no apology for returning that loyalty. It’s what is expected of functioning teams, and I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you.”
Lammy, who was justice secretary as well as deputy prime minister, posted on X: “I would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish Andy Burnham and the new Cabinet every success.”
Kendall, the now former science and technology secretary, wrote: "I have had the chance to change lives for the better, delivering greater equality and expanding greater opportunity to build a better future for all.
While being in government is never easy, every day in office has been a reminder of the difference Labour can make while in power."
