Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Shabana Mahmood Home Secretary in his first major Cabinet reshuffle since taking office. The shake-up followed Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s resignation over a stamp duty scandal.
Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, is the first Muslim woman to hold the post. She replaces Yvette Cooper, who becomes Foreign Secretary.
David Lammy now serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, while Rachel Reeves stays as Chancellor. Lucy Powell and Ian Murray lost their positions.
As Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood oversees MI5, counterterrorism, and policing. Her portfolio includes illegal immigration, record Channel crossings, asylum hotel scandals, and rising far-right activity.
Islamophobia remains a major concern, with hate crimes against Muslims increasing sharply.
Reform UK pressures her with anti-immigration rhetoric and far-right conspiracies like the “great replacement” conspiracy theory. Mahmood also faces outrage over the ban on Palestine Action, a protest group opposing Israel’s Gaza policies.
Her appointment followed a tough 2024 reelection campaign. Pro-Palestine independent Akhmed Yaqoob nearly unseated her, gaining almost 12,000 votes. Mahmood retained her seat with a slim 3,400 majority. She later condemned harassment during the campaign, calling it an “assault on democracy.”
Despite criticism, Mahmood has shifted her stance on Palestine. Reports suggest she recently pressed Starmer to consider recognizing a Palestinian state, seeking to reconnect with disillusioned Muslim voters.
