![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/labour-leader-sir-keir-starmer-697097490.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSIR Keir Starmer kicked off a major shake-up of his top team this morning – firing dud shadow ministers in anticipation of a brutal general election show down next year.<\/p>\n
Blairite beasts including Liz Kendall and Pat McFadden were rewarded with big promotions, while weak links such as Lucy Powell and Lisa Nandy faced savage demotions. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sir Keir said: \u201cBritain deserves a government that wakes up every morning absolutely determined to take on the challenges we face and to improve the lives of hard-working people. Today shows that's what the British people will get with Labour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI'm really pleased that having put in the hard yards to change the Labour Party, we now have such a strong team on the pitch that is ready to deliver the change our country desperately needs."<\/p>\n
The Labour chief's first major move was shifting Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner to replace Lisa Nandy as Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, leaving behind her Shadow Cabinet Office brief. <\/p>\n
Ms Nandy took up the job of Shadow International Development Secretary – a huge step down. <\/p>\n
And Steve Reed was demoted from Justice to the Environment brief – he was replaced by Shabana Mahmood. <\/p>\n
Ms Mahmood previously signed a letter demanding a flight deporting foreign criminals – including rapists and murderers – be halted. <\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2020-secretary-state-education-sir-773957901.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RM-chris-pincher-op.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Deputy Tory Chairman Lee Anderson slammed the move as "very scary".<\/p>\n
He said: "Remember the letter signed dozens of Labour MPs that helped stop a flight full of rapists, murderers, child sex offenders and violent men going to Jamaica? I thought you may. <\/p>\n
"You might also recall that one of the men who was on that flight went on to murder in the UK. <\/p>\n
"Well it looks like one of the ringleaders has now been made Shadow Justice Secretary. This is very scary."<\/p>\n
Liz Kendall was promoted to Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, while her predecessor Jonathan Ashworth moved to Shadow Paymaster General in the Cabinet Office.<\/p>\n
And Thangam Debbonaire was promoted to Shadow Culture, Media and Sports Secretary.<\/p>\n
There was a big promotion for Darren Jones, seen as a rising star in the party, from chairing the Commons Business Committee to serving as a Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.<\/p>\n
Former Shadow Mental Health Minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan was kicked out of the shadow ministerial team.<\/p>\n
In a stinging letter to her party leader, she said: "You made clear that you do not see a space for a mental health portfolio in a Labour cabinet, which is why I told you many weeks ago I wouldn't be able to continue in this role." <\/p>\n
MOVES:<\/p>\n
Angela Rayner – Shadow Levelling Up and Shadow Deputy PM<\/p>\n
Lisa Nandy – Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development<\/p>\n
Steve Reed – Shadow Environment Secretary<\/p>\n
Shabana Mahmood – Shadow Justice Secretary <\/p>\n
Liz Kendall – Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary<\/p>\n
Jonathan Ashworth – Shadow Paymaster General in the Cabinet Office<\/p>\n
Thangam Debbonaire – Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport<\/p>\n
Peter Kyle – Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology<\/p>\n
Nick Thomas-Symonds – Shadow Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office<\/p>\n
Ellie Reeves – Deputy National Campaign Coordinator<\/p>\n
Lucy Powell – Shadow Leader of the Commons<\/p>\n
Pat McFadden – Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and National Campaign Coordinator<\/p>\n
OUT:<\/strong><\/p>\n Jim McMahon – Shadow Transport Secretary<\/p>\n Dr Rosena Allin-Khan – Shadow Mental Health<\/p>\n IN:<\/strong><\/p>\n Darren Jones – Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury<\/p>\n Hilary Benn – Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland<\/p>\n The reshuffle came as Sir Keir beefs up his top team ahead of next year's general election and party conference in early October.<\/p>\n Shadow ministers are the closest they've been to seizing power in decades.<\/p>\n Labour chiefs are desperate to put their best talent forward, taking nothing for granted as the party races ahead of the Tories in the polls.<\/p>\n But while there is palpable excitement among party rank and file, Sir Keir has told his top team there is zero room for complacency.<\/p>\n MPs considered to be rebellious, a reputational risk or simply not up to the jobs were booted to the lowest rungs of the Commons. <\/p>\n Sir Keir tightened his grip on the party by keeping allies close.<\/p>\n And in a show of confidence in his own leadership, shadow ministers previously considered a risk to demote were sacked.<\/p>\nRead More on The Sun<\/span><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/peniscola-pe-iscola-village-aerial-842386307.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSpanish seaside you’ve never heard of with unspoilt beaches & cheap hols<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-23784305-1693827443645.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLottery players warned check tickets NOW as \u00a31million prize goes unclaimed <\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/british-deputy-leader-labour-party-842410890.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2022-liverpool-england-labour-party-842417038.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/liz-kendall-labour-party-politician-783325238.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2022-liverpool-england-labour-party-842415388.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMost read in The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/crop-23779278-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRoy Keane \u2018shaken\u2019 after \u2018headbutt\u2019 by fan with Sky set to \u2018beef up\u2019 security<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/jb-hollyreturn-comp.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThis Morning fans brand Holly Willoughby’s big return ‘worst opening ever’<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GIF-HERO-Keane-UNMUZZED_V3.gif?strip=all&w=300&h=192&crop=1\")
<\/p>\nRoy Keane \u2018headbutted’ as Micah Richards holds \u2018attacker\u2019<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/RF-COMP-Becky-Watts-killer-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBecky Watts killer seen back on streets after being freed after just 8 years<\/h3>\n