West Yorkshire MPs Rachel Reeves and Hilary Benn sacked from government, Cooper stays on
Rachel Reeves wrote yesterday that it had been a 'privilege' to serve
Several West Yorkshire MPs have been sacked from government, with one changing job, as Andy Burnham forms his first cabinet as Prime Minister.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves was one of the first to confirm she'd be departing government, writing on X: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer."
“The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.
“I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his Cabinet.
“You have my full support and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour Government deliver the change the country needs.”
Also out is Leeds South MP and now former Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn.
In his own statement, he wrote: "It has been a great privilege to serve as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to work with the many wonderful people I have met over the last 2 years."
Remaining in the Cabinet, allbeit in a different job, is the Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley MP Yvette Cooper.
The former Labour leadership contender has been named Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Ms Cooper, who served as home secretary then foreign secretary in Sir Keir’s government, has been moved to the post in what is considered by some Westminster watchers as a demotion from one of the four “great offices of state”.
She was viewed as a rising star under New Labour, and she served in the Blair and Brown governments alongside Mr Burnham, before being relegated to the backbenches under Jeremy Corbyn.
Ms Cooper has been trusted with overhauling the social care sector, an area which Mr Burnham has said will be one of his priorities as Prime Minister.