Politics

Dodds demoted as Starmer wields axe in Labour reshuffle

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has revamped his frontbench team in the wake of dismal election results.

Anneliese Dodds has been sacked as shadow chancellor and will become party chair.

Replacing her as Rishi Sunak’s opposite number is Rachel Reeves.

Angela Rayner, who was sacked as party chair yesterday, will become shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Chief whip Nick Brown has been sacked and will be replaced by Alan Campbell.

A spokesman for Mr Brown said: “Nick thinks it’s a reasonable time for Nick to move on. He and Keir have parted on good terms, with mutual respect.

“He wishes Keir and the new chief whip ever success.”

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Wes Streeting has been given a new brief on child poverty, while Lucy Powell will become shadow housing secretary.

Announcing the reshuffle, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party needed to “embrace the demand for change across our country.

“That will require bold ideas and a relentless focus on the priorities of the British people.”

He described his new shadow cabinet as a “refreshed and renewed team” who would “build the ambitious programme that will deliver the next Labour government.”

However, there were some faces who remained. Jonathan Ashworth stays on as shadow health secretary and Lisa Nandy remains shadow foreign secretary.