Rachel Reeves has been confirmed as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, making her the first woman to hold the post in its 800-year history. Speaking at the Treasury after her appointment, Reeves acknowledged the significant challenges ahead. “I’m under no illusions of the scale of challenges we face,” she remarked, adding, “I can’t promise it’ll be easy and it’s a long road ahead.”
Despite her disagreements with past political choices made within the Treasury, she expressed deep respect for the dedication of its staff. “We’re a new team, it’s a new start so let’s get to work,” she concluded, receiving loud applause from those present, as per BBC.
Reeves also took to social media to reflect on her historic appointment. “To every young girl and woman reading this, let today show that there should be no limits on your ambitions,” she posted, emphasising the “historic responsibility” that comes with being the first female chancellor.
It is the honour of my life to have been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Economic growth was the Labour Party’s mission. It is now a national mission.
Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/PchJFePDJa
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) July 5, 2024
UK Cabinet: Angela Rayner Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy as Foreign Secretary — Key Appointments So Far
In other significant appointments within Keir Starmer’s new cabinet, Angela Rayner has been confirmed as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The cabinet also includes David Lammy as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary, John Healey as Defence Secretary, and Pat McFadden as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Shabana Mahmood has been appointed Justice Secretary, Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary, and Ed Miliband as Energy Secretary.
Reacting to his appointment as Foreign Secretary, David Lammy expressed his gratitude and outlined the challenges ahead. “It is the honour of my life,” he said on social media platform X. “The world faces huge challenges,” he continued, pledging to “navigate them with the UK’s enormous strengths” and to “reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home.”
It is the honour of my life to be appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
The world faces huge challenges, but we will navigate them with the UK’s enormous strengths.
We will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. pic.twitter.com/4DUORlFICj
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 5, 2024
This reshuffle follows Keir Starmer’s ascension to the role of Prime Minister on Friday. Starmer, 61, assumed office as the 58th Prime Minister after a landslide victory for the Labour Party in the general election. The Labour Party secured 412 seats in the 650-member House of Commons, a significant increase of 211 seats from the 2019 election. The Conservatives, led by Rishi Sunak, suffered their worst electoral defeat, securing just 121 seats, down 250 seats from the previous election. Labour garnered a vote share of 33.7%, compared to the Conservatives’ 23.7%.
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In his inaugural address outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer highlighted the public’s desire for change. “Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics for public service,” he declared, setting the tone for his premiership and the new cabinet’s agenda.
