In a dramatic shake-up of the UK government on September 5, 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer dismissed Ian Murray as Secretary of State for Scotland, replacing him with Labour veteran Douglas Alexander. The move, part of a wider cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, has sent ripples through both Westminster and Holyrood, raising questions about the Labour Party’s direction and unity as it prepares for the next Scottish parliamentary elections.
The reshuffle unfolded rapidly after Angela Rayner stepped down as deputy prime minister and housing secretary. Rayner admitted to underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 flat she purchased in Hove earlier in the year, stating she "deeply regretted" not seeking additional specialist tax advice and insisting that it was never her intention "to do anything other than pay the right amount." Her resignation set off a domino effect, prompting Starmer to reconfigure his top team in a bid to steady the government and refocus its agenda.
Among the most surprising changes was the sacking of Ian Murray, who had served as Scottish Secretary since July 2024 following Labour’s landslide general election victory. Murray, the longest-serving Scottish Labour MP and a close ally of party leader Anas Sarwar, was informed of his removal reportedly over the phone—a move that stunned many within Scottish Labour. Lord George Foulkes, a Labour peer, did not mince words, calling the decision "disgraceful" and praising Murray for holding "the fort well through the lean years" and being "a brilliant secretary of state," according to BBC and The National.
In his statement following the dismissal, Murray expressed both pride in his achievements and disappointment at leaving government. "It was a privilege to play a pivotal role in bringing Labour back to power in Westminster after many years as the sole Scottish Labour MP," he said. Murray highlighted accomplishments including a £10 billion frigate deal with Norway, the installation of a UK supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution, and the launch of GB Energy in Aberdeen. He also emphasized efforts to revive the Harland & Wolff shipyards and promote the Brand Scotland campaign. "I am hugely disappointed to be leaving government, with so much done and so much more to do, but I now look forward to spending a little more time with my wife and two beautiful girls, while continuing to serve the wonderful people of Edinburgh South," Murray added, as reported by STV News.
Douglas Alexander, who previously served as Scottish Secretary under Tony Blair from 2006 to 2007 and returned to Parliament in 2024 as MP for Lothian East, was swiftly appointed as Murray’s successor. Alexander brings a wealth of experience, having also held posts as transport secretary, international development secretary, and junior minister in both the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business and Trade. In his statement, Alexander paid tribute to Murray, calling him "one of the most decent and well-liked people in politics" and acknowledging that "the Labour party owes him a great debt of gratitude." Alexander set out his priorities clearly: “It’s a real honour to have been appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Sir Keir Starmer. I look forward to playing a key role in delivering the UK Government’s Plan for Change by boosting economic growth, putting more money in pockets and making life better for people in Scotland. There is a huge amount to be done, and I’m very much looking forward to making sure that Scotland continues to be at the very centre of the government’s work – including on our drive to clean power and ensuring our country’s security.”
The reshuffle’s fallout extended beyond Scotland. Lucy Powell was also removed from her role as Leader of the House of Commons. In her statement, Powell said, "It has been an honour to serve in the first Labour Government in 15 years, particularly as Leader of the House. It’s been a role I’ve really enjoyed – overseeing the first Labour King’s Speech in a generation with such an ambitious and transformative legislative programme, taking on vested interests in the service of ordinary people." Meanwhile, David Lammy was promoted to deputy prime minister and took on the justice brief, Yvette Cooper became foreign secretary, and Shabana Mahmood was named home secretary. Steve Reed assumed the housing secretary role vacated by Rayner, and Pat McFadden took charge of a new "super ministry" combining the Department for Work and Pensions with the skills remit from the Department for Education.
The abrupt nature of Murray’s dismissal caught many by surprise, especially within Scottish Labour, where he was credited with helping the party recover from its near-wipeout in 2015. For years, Murray was the party’s sole MP in Scotland, a period during which Labour lost 40 of its 41 seats to the SNP. He increased his majority in 2017 as Labour began to regain ground, but again became the only Scottish Labour MP in 2019 until Michael Shanks joined him after a 2023 by-election. Murray’s leadership during these "lean years" was widely recognized, and his ousting left some party members questioning the timing and wisdom of the move, especially with the 2026 Holyrood election looming.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, however, struck a note of unity and optimism. He thanked Murray for his service, saying he "held the party together during the most difficult and dark times," and congratulated Alexander on his appointment. "I know Douglas will use his experience, knowledge and skills to demonstrate that a UK Labour government is delivering for Scotland," Sarwar said, as reported by BBC and The National. Alexander, who is also co-chairing Scottish Labour’s campaign for the upcoming Holyrood elections, echoed this commitment, stating, “Delivering for them [the people of Scotland] will always be my first priority.”
The reshuffle has provided ammunition to Labour’s political opponents, particularly the SNP, who have seized on the cabinet changes as evidence of instability at Westminster. The SNP argue that the turmoil demonstrates why Scotland would be better off independent, while Labour hopes that the new team can present a refreshed and focused front as it seeks to build on its recent electoral successes. As the dust settles, the party will be closely watched to see if it can maintain momentum and unity, or if the shockwaves from this reshuffle will linger into the crucial months ahead.
With the next Scottish parliamentary elections on the horizon and the campaign already underway, Starmer’s government faces the challenge of proving it can offer stability and effective leadership for both Scotland and the wider UK. Whether this reshuffle marks a true reset or simply fuels further debate remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on Douglas Alexander and his ability to deliver for Scotland at a pivotal moment.
