British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Shabana Mahmood, a lawmaker of Pakistani origin, as the United Kingdom’s new Home Secretary. The appointment was announced on Friday as part of a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
At 44, Shabana Mahmood becomes the most senior Muslim politician in the UK, marking an important milestone in British politics.
A former barrister, she has represented Birmingham Ladywood as a Member of Parliament since 2010 and has held multiple shadow portfolios over the years. Most recently, she served as justice minister in Starmer’s cabinet.
Mahmood has also been known for her independent political approach. She notably refused to serve under Jeremy Corbyn when he led the Labour Party, underscoring her principled stance on leadership and governance.
Starmer’s Reshuffle After Rayner’s Exit
The reshuffle came after Angela Rayner resigned when Britain’s independent adviser ruled that she had breached the ministerial code by failing to pay the correct tax. Her departure forced Starmer into a deeper cabinet shake-up than expected, pushing him to reassert authority after a turbulent week.
As part of the changes:
- Yvette Cooper, the former Home Secretary, was named foreign minister.
- David Lammy was promoted to deputy prime minister and justice secretary.
A Labour lawmaker described the new appointments as “sound” choices, though not particularly dramatic, given Rayner’s strong influence within the party.
New Direction for the Home Office
Starmer has leaned on loyal allies to stabilize his government, reshaping both his cabinet and his Downing Street team. With Shabana Mahmood now leading the Home Office, the Prime Minister signals both a fresh direction in policy and a stronger commitment to diversity in top government positions.
Her appointment is seen as a historic moment, broadening representation while reinforcing Starmer’s efforts to steady his administration after political turbulence.
In other news read more about Angela Rayner Resigns as UK Deputy Prime Minister Over Tax Error
