In a significant reshuffle, the leader of the UK’s Opposition Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has demoted Indian-origin shadow ministers Lisa Nandy and Preet Kaur Gill, among others, as part of changes to the party’s frontbench team.
Lisa Nandy, the Member of Parliament for Wigan and daughter of Kolkata-born academic Dipak Nandy, known for his work in race relations in the UK, has been removed from her position as shadow secretary of state and assigned a ministerial post in international development. This role was previously held by Preet Kaur Gill.
Preet Kaur Gill, the first British Sikh female member of Parliament in the House of Commons, expressed her continued support for Keir Starmer’s leadership on social media. She highlighted her work in holding the government accountable for its decisions related to international development, including the abolition of the Department for International Development (DfID) and aid cuts.
The reshuffle comes as the UK prepares for an expected general election next year. Lisa Nandy, in a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasized the need for a government that spreads power and opportunity widely across the country.
As part of the reshuffle, Labour party deputy leader Angela Rayner has been appointed as the new shadow levelling up secretary. Starmer has also promoted Shabana Mahmood, a Pakistani-origin Member of Parliament representing Birmingham Ladywood, as the new shadow justice secretary. Additionally, Thangam Debbonaire, of Sri Lankan origin, has been appointed as the new shadow culture secretary.
Lisa Nandy, who was one of the leadership contenders in the aftermath of Labour’s poor performance in the 2019 general election under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, has shown her continued commitment to the Labour Party’s mission. She recently released the paperback edition of her political book, ‘All In,’ which discusses the potential and challenges facing the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle of shadow ministers reflects the party’s preparations for the upcoming general election and its focus on key positions to address issues such as justice, culture, and leveling up across the country.
