Politics

‘So now we get on with our work’: New PM holds first cabinet meeting after landslide victory

Sir Keir Starmer is chairing his first cabinet meeting following Labour’s landslide win that ended 14 years of Tory rule.

It comes after the new prime minister appointed his top team on Friday afternoon – making few changes to the shadow cabinet that existed before the election.

Follow general election fallout live

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘My government will serve you’

Rachel Reeves is the new chancellor of the exchequer, while Yvette Cooper is home secretary, Wes Streeting is health secretary, Bridget Phillipson is education secretary, and David Lammy is foreign secretary.

As well as appointing members of his cabinet, Sir Keir made several eye-catching ministerial appointments.

Sir Patrick Vallance – who served as the UK’s chief scientific adviser during the pandemic – becomes a peer to take on the role of science minister.

James Timpson – the chief executive whose family retail and key-cutting business is known for employing ex-offenders – will also join the Lords after being appointed prisons minister.

The one notable exception was Sir Keir picking experienced human rights lawyer Richard Hermer KC for attorney general rather than Emily Thornberry, who held the shadow role prior to the election. He will become a peer to take up the job.

Read more:
Labour’s top team revealed
World leaders react to Starmer’s win
Eight unexpected moments from election

High on the cabinet agenda will likely be the the six first steps set out in the Labour manifesto: delivering economic stability, cutting NHS waiting times, launching a new border security command, creating Great British Energy, cracking down on anti-social behaviour and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

UK election over 24 hours

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Articles You May Like

Rocket Lab Delays Launch of Synspective’s Earth-Imaging Satellite
Labour’s polling collapse is historic – but Nigel Farage has overseen a bigger one
Hyundai’s top-tier IONIQ 9 Calligraphy trim looks sharp in stealthy all-black
Micron shares suffer steepest drop since 2020 after disappointing guidance
Gavin & Stacey creators say they ‘both had the same idea’ for final Christmas special