Keir Starmer told his Cabinet of ‘patriots’ they must revive Britain’s economy today after the panicky reshuffle sparked by Angela Rayner’s departure.
The PM insisted growth is the ‘number one priority’ as he gathered his new-look team in No10.
Sir Keir is struggling to get his administration back on track after a dismal first year and a summer dominated by anger about immigration.
In a grim sign for the premier, More in Common has found his personal ratings slipping to a new net low of minus 44.
However, there was better news for Sir Keir as a separate YouGov poll suggested Reform’s advantage had narrowed to five points after a chaotic conference in Birmingham over the weekend.
Sitting around the Cabinet table this morning, with a ‘Prime Minister’ mug in front of him, Sir Keir said he now had the personnel in place for the ‘next stage of our journey’.
‘You are the right people to heed the patriotic call to lift up our country and take it forward to national renewal for millions of working people,’ he said.
Sir Keir also made clear he sees Reform as the main threat, insisting: ‘It is important that we are very clear about what we’re up against.
‘We’re up against those that feed off the politics of grievance, those that do not want problems to be fixed, because if the problems are fixed, their reason to exist, their politics, ceases to have any role in our society.’
Ms Rayner dramatically quit on Friday after a standards report found she breached the ministerial code with her tax arrangements.
Her old role of deputy PM has been handed to David Lammy, while Yvette Cooper has taken over from him as Foreign Secretary.
The key role of Home Secretary has been given to Shabana Mahmood, who insists she will do whatever it takes to get a grip on Channel boats.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall was shifted to the science department, after Labour MPs thwarted a bungled attempt to curb the spiralling benefits bill.
Pat McFadden has now been tasked with having another go at saving some money on welfare, seen as critical to Rachel Reeves’ chances of balancing the government’s books.
Meanwhile, there is a major internal battle developing over the Labour deputy leadership.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has declared she is standing, making her the de facto Downing Street candidate.
However, she could face a challenge from former colleague Lucy Powelll, who has been praised by Andy Burnham – often seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir.
The PM’s official spokesman said his message to the ‘refreshed, reshaped’ Cabinet would be to put delivery and growth ‘front and centre’ in the second phase of government.
Sir Keir is expected to say: ‘This is a government of patriots – determined to deliver for working people. That’s who we fight for.’
