![Reeves and Rayner step out of shadows to take top jobs](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720238366/articles/qEvCHqlBM1720251089711/REEVES-AND-RAYNER-STEP-OUT-OF-SHADOWS-TO-TAKE-TOP-JOBS.jpg)
Sir Keir Starmer made Rachel Reeves Britain's first female chancellor yesterday as he appointed his new cabinet to get on with the job quickly.
It was one of the easiest appointments for the new prime minister. Ms Reeves played a major role in the election campaign, and, as a former Bank of England economist, has helped restore economic credibility to Labour from the wreckage of the Jeremy Corbyn years.
She is the first woman to hold the second most important role in government in the 708 years since the office of chancellor of the Exchequer was established.
Earlier, Angela Rayner had been handed her own department as secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, taking over from Michael Gove. There had been questions about whether she might be given a roving role, but she had shadowed Mr Gove with some success and had hankered after a department.
Ms Rayner will also be deputy prime minister - she is only the second woman to hold that position, after Therese Coffey in Liz Truss's 49-day government.
Just 24 hours before Britain went to the polls, Sir Keir was still coy about who would get the top jobs, and refused in interviews to guarantee anyone a post. This was partly to avoid the situation that befell Neil Kinnock, who came unstuck in 1992 when he introduced his new cabinet at an infamous rally in Sheffield only to lose the election.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
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England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
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Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
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Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
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‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
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How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
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'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
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'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
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Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
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The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum