David Lammy has been named the new Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary in a dramatic cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following the sudden resignation of Angela Rayner.

Lammy’s appointment places him at the heart of government during a politically turbulent period for Labour. The senior party figure, until now Foreign Secretary, is widely regarded for his reformist stance and his record on criminal justice, making his elevation both symbolically and strategically significant.

His new dual role comes as Parliament prepares to debate the Sentencing Bill, a moment the Prison Reform Trust described as “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”

The reshuffle, announced Friday, also saw Yvette Cooper move from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary, while Shabana Mahmood was promoted to Home Secretary from Justice. Other appointments included Steve Reed as Housing Secretary, Pat McFadden to an expanded Work and Pensions portfolio, Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary, Liz Kendall to Science and Technology, Emma Reynolds to Environment, Peter Kyle to Business, Jonathan Reynolds as Chief Whip, and Alan Campbell as Leader of the House of Commons.

Lucy Powell and Ian Murray were removed from their cabinet posts.

Rayner’s resignation has ignited fresh divisions within Labour, raising questions about Starmer’s ability to hold together his coalition of support. Her departure has also triggered a deputy leadership contest, intensifying the power struggle between Labour’s centrist and left-wing blocs.

With Labour facing a £40 billion budget shortfall, growing voter discontent, and surging support for Reform UK, Lammy’s rise to the deputy premiership will be closely scrutinised as both a test of his political weight and Starmer’s ability to steady his government at a defining moment.