Yahoo News Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer unveils new shadow cabinet
Sir Keir Starmer has announced the members of his top team following a landslide victory in the Labour leadership race.
The new leader of the opposition vowed to create a "balanced" shadow cabinet, recruiting a diverse team from across the country.
Details of his team began emerging on Sunday afternoon, with Lisa Nandy among those to be awarded a seat at the table.
Ms Nandy, his former rival for the job, has been appointed shadow foreign secretary, while former treasury minister Anneliese Dodds has been made shadow chancellor.
Nick Thomas-Symonds will be shadow home secretary and Rachel Reeves will take the position of Michael Gove's counterpart as shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Jonathan Ashworth will remain shadow health secretary, Angela Smith retains her post as shadow leader of the Lords and Nick Brown has been re-appointed chief whip.
John McDonnell and Diane Abbott, who served under Jeremy Corbyn, are out of the shadow cabinet, but former shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry is expected to remain – albeit in a different role.
Sir Keir said: “We are living through a national emergency. Under my leadership, the Labour Party will always act in the country’s interest to save lives and protect livelihoods. That will be the number one priority of my shadow cabinet.
“We will be a responsible opposition that supports the Government where we believe they are right and challenge them when we believe mistakes are being made.”
Sir Keir is to chair a new shadow Covid-19 committee that will take on responsibility for co-ordinating Labour’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the party said.
Alongside the new leader, the committee members will consist of Ms Rayner, Ms Dodds, Ms Nandy, Mr Thomas-Symonds, Ms Reeves and Mr Ashworth.
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