Starmer’s Strategic Start: New Cabinet and Bold Ministerial Choices Mark First Day as UK Prime Minister

Keir Starmer will convene his initial cabinet session following notable ministerial selections

As the new administration gears up for its inaugural full day in office, the prime minister's principal group has started to set its key objectives.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Saturday, July 6, 2024, 5:

Sir Keir Starmer is set to lead his initial cabinet meeting as prime minister today after Labour's landmark election win.

The newly elected prime minister announced his key cabinet positions last Friday, maintaining most of the previous shadow cabinet members in their roles.

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Rachel Reeves has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Yvette Cooper takes on the role of Home Secretary, with Wes Streeting serving as Health Secretary. Bridget Phillipson steps into the position of Education Secretary, and David Lammy assumes the duties of Foreign Secretary.

In addition to selecting his cabinet members, Sir Keir Starmer made notable ministerial choices, including assigning the former UK chief scientific adviser during the pandemic, Sir Patrick Vallance, as the science minister.

In other news, James Timpson, the CEO renowned for hiring former inmates in his family's retail and key-cutting enterprise, has been named the new minister for prisons.

In a significant shift, Sir Keir Starmer has chosen seasoned human rights attorney Richard Hermer KC as the new attorney general, succeeding Emily Thornberry who previously served as Labour’s shadow attorney general before the election.

Shortly after taking office, the new prime minister initiated discussions with several international leaders, among them US President Joe Biden, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, and Michelle O'Neill, the First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his congratulations to Sir Keir on his assumption of the role of prime minister, expressing his appreciation for Sir Keir's confirmation of the UK's steadfast and resolute support for Ukraine.

The initial excitement within the Labour Party was matched by indications that they were eager to tackle the pressing issues on the government's agenda.

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The recently appointed prime minister faces a challenging array of issues, such as an NHS backlog involving 6.33 million patients, the ongoing small boats situation in the Channel, overcrowded prisons, and slow economic expansion.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that discussions with the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents the junior doctors currently on strike, are set to commence next week.

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Upon his appointment as the new foreign secretary, David Lammy expressed his desire to recalibrate the UK's approach towards Europe, enhance ties with the Global South, and prioritize climate issues.

He admitted that Labour's stance on Gaza had led to a loss of votes and pledged to do "everything within his diplomatic capacity to assist Joe Biden in achieving that ceasefire."

When questioned about his previous characterization of ex-President Donald Trump as "a woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath," Mr. Lammy responded, "I am prepared to collaborate with whoever the United States elects as their next president."

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Discover more: Unveiling the inner workings of the Conservative Party. Jess Phillips describes the election campaign as 'absolutely horrible.'

On the night before his initial cabinet gathering, Sir Keir received counsel from ex-Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, who suggested he should "ease up on control somewhat."

The Labour member of the House of Lords informed Sky News that Gordon Brown once maintained a grueling schedule of 18-hour days, every day of the week, which proved to be ineffective.

He stated that it led to a "significant bottleneck in decision-making," and warned that Sir Keir might soon encounter issues in "reinjecting momentum and vitality into the government."

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Lord Blunkett suggested that Sir Keir should form a cabinet and give them the freedom to manage their responsibilities.

In his inaugural address as prime who took office, delivered from the steps of Downing Street, Sir Keir announced that he will reserve Friday evenings post-6pm for family time. He emphasized that his administration is committed to serving the public and expressed his belief in the positive potential of politics.

"He stated that the nation has clearly chosen a new direction, focusing on rejuvenation and restoring politics to serve the public."

"Our tasks are pressing, and we start them immediately."

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