Jo Stevens has been removed from her role as Secretary of State for Wales as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham appoints his cabinet. The Cardiff East MP is among several senior figures to lose their positions after Burnham, the former Manchester mayor, took office on Monday, promising the biggest change to British politics in 40 years.
Major Cabinet Changes
Alongside Stevens leaving the Wales Office, Rachel Reeves was dismissed as chancellor, David Lammy was sacked as deputy prime minister, and Peter Kyle lost his job as business secretary. Burnham is informing ministers of their removal through phone calls as he clears the way for his allies to take key roles.
Stevens' Tenure and Response
Stevens was the first woman appointed Welsh Secretary, serving for two years after Sir Keir Starmer gave her the role following the 2024 general election. Confirming her departure, she called it a "privilege and an honour" and wished her successor "the very best". She praised Starmer for leaving "the country in a much better place than he found it".
In a statement on X, Stevens said: "Serving as the Labour Party’s first Secretary of State for Wales for the last two years has been a privilege and an honour. The essence of the Wales Office is collaboration. I am proud to have worked with colleagues across cabinet over the past two years to ensure the priorities of the people in my constituency of Cardiff East and throughout Wales have not just been heard but delivered."
She highlighted achievements including: "Wales has seen the biggest budget settlement for our public services in the history of devolution, our steel industry saved and transformed for the future, the largest public investment in Wales in history through new nuclear at Wylfa, a generational commitment of £14bn for our Welsh railways, the best local growth fund settlement of any of the UK nations and so much more."
Broader Government Achievements
Stevens also praised the UK Labour government's record: "Together we have stabilised the economy, ended Tory austerity, lifted 550,000 children out of poverty, introduced the biggest uplift to workers' rights in a generation and created new jobs and opportunities in every corner of the country."
She added: "I wish the new Prime Minister and my successor the very best in their new roles and know that they will do a great job, alongside our new Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates, in delivering for the people of Wales. Finally, I want to pay tribute to Keir Starmer. In just six years he has taken our party from comprehensive rejection by the country, through to the greatest general election victory in my lifetime and two years successfully leading our country through enormously challenging circumstances. Keir leaves with the country in a much better place than he found it. A committed public servant, always putting the country first, who has led with courage and strength, restoring the UK's reputation and influence globally. I am proud to have served under him, and to call him my friend."
Successor Unknown
It is not yet known who Burnham will appoint to replace Stevens as Welsh Secretary. Official confirmation of his cabinet appointments is expected later on Monday.
