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Keir's Cabinet bloodbath: David Lammy's face says it all as he leaves No 10 after being ousted as Foreign Secretary - and Yvette Cooper is axed as Home Secretary

Keir Starmer shook up his government in a dramatic cabinet reshuffle following Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s resignation over a tax scandal, triggering major changes at the top. On September 5, 2025, David Lammy — previously Foreign Secretary — was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and also took on the Justice Secretary role, while Yvette Cooper was surprisingly axed as Home Secretary and moved to become Foreign Secretary. Shabana Mahmood stepped in as the new Home Secretary, replacing Cooper.

Rayner’s resignation came after an investigation revealed she underpaid stamp duty on an £800,000 flat, breaching the ministerial code. The scandal forced her to step down not only as Deputy PM but also as Labour’s deputy leader, leaving a vital leadership gap for Starmer to fill. Starmer described her departure as “very sad,” praising her service, but insisted the reshuffle was necessary to “reset” the embattled government amid falling popularity.

David Lammy’s departure from the Foreign Office was notable — his face leaving No 10 showed a mix of surprise and resolve as he took on new duties. His move to Deputy PM and Justice Secretary is seen as Starmer bolstering trusted allies to steady the ship during political turbulence. Lammy is widely respected within Labour, known for his eloquence and experience, but the reshuffle signals how seriously Starmer viewed the need for a fresh start.

Yvette Cooper’s shift was one of the most unexpected changes. As Home Secretary, she had handled immigration and policing amid fierce challenges. Moving her to Foreign Secretary—while still a top cabinet role—is generally seen as a demotion given current political priorities. The decision highlights Starmer’s effort to rearrange the lineup to better tackle domestic issues like immigration, now under Mahmood’s leadership at the Home Office. Mahmood, promoted from Justice Secretary, is expected to introduce new approaches to community cohesion and border control.

Rachel Reeves maintained her role as Chancellor, marking the first time in UK history that the three key offices beneath the PM — Chancellor, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary — are all held by women, a milestone for gender representation in government.

The reshuffle reflects a broader “phase 2” reboot of Starmer’s administration after a difficult 14 months marked by policy U-turns, public dissatisfaction over welfare reforms, and the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party riding anti-immigration sentiment. Reform UK’s surge poses a direct threat to Labour’s electoral prospects, making Starmer’s cabinet reorganization both urgent and tactical.

Critics accused Starmer of shuffling cabinet chairs on a sinking ship, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling the reshuffle evidence of Labour’s internal chaos. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey warned Labour against repeating past mistakes, urging the party to focus on addressing Britain’s fundamental problems, not just rearranging personnel.

The public and media zeroed in on Lammy’s expression leaving No 10 as a snapshot of the cabinet bloodbath—an image symbolizing uncertainty and the high stakes of the reshuffle. Rayner’s fall from grace and star status as a Labour left-wing figure added emotional weight to the personnel changes.

Overall, Starmer’s cabinet bloodbath underscores how fragile and contested his government’s hold on power has become. David Lammy’s new role places him center stage in efforts to rebuild trust and deliver on promises, while Yvette Cooper’s move signals a recalibration of policy priorities within the top team. Whether this reshuffle can halt Labour’s decline and fend off Reform UK’s challenge remains to be seen as voters watch closely in the lead-up to future elections.