Lisa Nandy, the new shadow levelling up secretary, has dismissed suggestions of a rift between Labour leader Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner, asserting that the leader has the right to choose his frontbench team. Speaking after the reshuffle, Nandy stated, 'The gaffer picks the team, that's how it goes.'
Nandy, who was moved from shadow foreign secretary to shadow Michael Gove, described her new role as a 'homecoming' and a chance to address the 'broken promises of the last 11 years.' She emphasised the need to deliver on pledges regarding jobs, investment, and opportunities for towns and villages across the UK.
Rayner's allies expressed anger that the reshuffle was announced during her speech on cleaning up politics. Nandy confirmed she had not spoken to Rayner since the changes, but added she was focused on assembling her team and planning for the department.
The reshuffle also saw Yvette Cooper return as shadow home secretary, Ed Miliband take on climate change and net zero, and promotions for Bridget Phillipson and Wes Streeting to education and health respectively. Starmer praised Nandy, saying she was 'nobody better' to lead the levelling up mission.
