Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
New New Labour
Starmer brings back Cooper in bold Shadow Cabinet reshuffle
BY BEN GLAZE Deputy Political Editor and PIPPA CRERAR Political Editor LABOUR big beast Yvette Cooper returned to the Shadow Cabinet yesterday as leader Keir Starmer carried out another reshuffle.
High-profile Ms Cooper returns to the Shadow Home Secretary post she held for nearly five years.
The top team shake-up has moved the party back to the centre of British politics.
It is thought the move blind-sided deputy Angela Rayner who appeared baffled as Mr Starmer began phoning shadow ministers while she was giving a speech on kicking sleaze out of politics. When asked about rumours in the morning, she said: “I’m not aware of any plans for a reshuffle. I reckon that Keir would tell me first.”
But the reshuffle had been planned for weeks by Mr Starmer and a close team of advisers. Labour insiders believe he has performed better against rival Boris
Johnson recently, with polls showing the party has narrowed the gap to the Tories.
David Lammy was elevated from the justice role to become Shadow Foreign Secretary – replacing one-time leadership hopeful Lisa
Nandy. She was switched to the communities brief – shadowing
Michael Gove.
Jonathan Ashworth was moved to work and pensions with Wes Streeting replacing him at health. Ed Miliband was given a climate change role, Bridget Phillipson switched to education and Lucy Powell to culture. Mr Starmer said: “The Labour Party I lead is focused on the priorities of the country.
“We must hold the Government to account on behalf of the public and demonstrate we are the right choice to form the next Government.” Ms Cooper, said: “We want our country to be strong, safe and secure. The Home Office is letting people down.”