Westminster was abuzz this week as Sir Keir Starmer’s government underwent one of its most dramatic shakeups yet, prompted by the high-profile resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over a property tax scandal. The fallout has seen a whirlwind of appointments, sackings, and fresh faces—though critics argue the changes amount to little more than rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship. With the Labour Party’s popularity at a record low, and Reform UK surging in the polls, the question on everyone’s lips is whether these moves can steady Starmer’s government or if they merely signal deeper trouble ahead.
Angela Rayner’s downfall came after it was revealed she underpaid £40,000 in stamp duty on her second home, valued at £800,000. According to The Times of London, Rayner’s resignation on September 6, 2025, was a direct result of breaching the ministerial code. The issue stemmed from her placing her share of her constituency home in trust for her son and purchasing another property in Hove, East Sussex, but paying a lower rate of stamp duty than required for a second homeowner. The scandal not only cost Rayner her job but also left Labour open to accusations of hypocrisy, given the party’s tough stance on tax avoidance.
Rayner’s exit triggered a significant cabinet reshuffle. David Lammy, previously known for his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump and his work as Justice Secretary, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and retained his justice portfolio. In another historic move, Shabana Mahmood became the first Muslim woman to head the Home Office. She replaces Yvette Cooper, who has been shifted to the role of Foreign Secretary. Mahmood, a pro-Palestine activist with a pro-open borders voting record, has faced scrutiny over her role in last year’s mass release of prisoners to clear space in the jail system. Despite the controversy, Mahmood pledged on X, “The first responsibility of government is the safety of its citizens. Every day in this job, I will be devoted to that purpose.”
Yvette Cooper wasted no time in her new post, immediately speaking with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha. She emphasized, “We continue to do all we can to end the war and secure a just peace,” while Sybiha praised Cooper’s prompt outreach as a sign of “respect and priority in sustaining the UK’s unwavering support.”
The reshuffle extended far beyond the top jobs. Daniel Zeichner was sacked as farming minister following a dispute over inheritance tax changes. Jason Stockwood, a businessman known for his tenure at Match.com and as co-owner of Grimsby Town FC, was appointed Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury. Stockwood, who lost a recent mayoral race to a Reform UK candidate, brings private sector experience to the cabinet but is not an elected MP. Other changes saw Lucy Powell and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray ousted, while Anna Turley took over as Labour Party chair, replacing Ellie Reeves.
Not everyone welcomed the changes. According to The Independent, some sacked ministers responded with fury. One reportedly declared, “I’m going to f*** him up,” while another predicted, “There’s going to be carnage. Everyone’s going to be stabbing everyone else in the back.” Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, lamented on Times Radio, “We have some exceptionally talented people that need to be considered… what we also need is representation from the broad church of the Labour Party and that’s not what we’re seeing at this moment in time unfortunately.” She added, “A number of MPs are not happy with the direction of travel.”
Junior ministers also voiced frustration. Justin Madders expressed disappointment at leaving before the Employment Rights Bill became law, writing on X, “It’s disappointing I didn’t get to see the ERB through to Royal Assent as a Minister but I’ll be there when it’s back in the Commons as a backbencher to hopefully get it over the line as per our manifesto.” Jim McMahon, another sacked junior minister, warned, “Patience for change has run out,” and stressed the need for tangible improvements in living standards and safer neighborhoods.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle, one of the newly promoted ministers, sought to shift the narrative to economic growth. He told business leaders, “This Government’s number one mission is economic growth. We need to crack on and do it. We must double down, while being creative and unrelenting in pursuit of our goal.” Kyle announced plans to meet with the Trump administration in Washington next week, followed by trade talks in China, signaling an intent to boost Britain’s international economic standing.
Despite the flurry of personnel changes, the government’s direction remains unclear. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, one of the few to keep her job, is reportedly determined to raise taxes again in the autumn budget—a move likely to deepen economic pessimism among a public already feeling the pinch. According to The Mail, Labour peer Lord Falconer, a former member of Tony Blair’s cabinet, said the reshuffle showed a “profound understanding by the PM that things need to change and they need to change urgently.” He added, “If we haven’t got a sense of direction that connects quite quickly, then we are in problems I think.”
External pressure has also intensified. Nigel Farage, leader of the surging Reform UK party, predicted a general election by 2027 and forecasted a Labour civil war over Rayner’s replacement. He doubled down on his tough stance on immigration, telling Sky News, “For clarity, those that cross the English Channel will be detained and deported, men and women. Children, we’ll have to think about.” Farage also promised to introduce laws modeled on Australia’s approach to illegal migration, claiming, “As soon as you have the ability to detain and deport, you’ll stop it in two weeks.”
The government, however, has pushed back against Farage’s predictions. Chief Secretary Darren Jones told The Times of London, “Nigel Farage is wrong there. The Labour Party is not going to split and there won’t be an early election.” Still, top British pollster Sir John Curtice described the government as lacking political direction, pointing to a “gaping hole” at the heart of Downing Street. Curtice observed, “The public have repeatedly said… that they don’t know what he stands for, and it’s the absence of a sense of direction, and therefore of leadership, that I think is one of the fundamental political reasons, at least, that the popularity of this government has fallen below any other newly elected government.”
With a dozen cabinet positions changed, a host of junior ministers reshuffled, and public patience wearing thin, the Labour government faces a pivotal moment. Whether Starmer’s bold moves can restore confidence and deliver on promises—or whether the party will continue its downward spiral—remains to be seen. For now, the knives are out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
