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Labour MP Jess Phillips promoted to Sir Keir Starmer's top team

Labour MP Jess Phillips has been promoted to Sir Keir Starmer's top team: Getty Images
Labour MP Jess Phillips has been promoted to Sir Keir Starmer's top team: Getty Images

The new Labour Leader has promoted the prominent backbencher Jess Phillips to his top team.

Ms Phillips, who was in the running to replace Jeremy Corbyn but dropped out before voting began, has been appointed as a shadow Home Office minister, with a focus on domestic violence and safeguarding.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced more junior positions in his team after announcing the top frontbench positions earlier in the week.

Many MPs from Mr Corbyn’s team have been kept on, but those from the centre and right of the party have also been given promotions.

MP for Birmingham Yardley since 2015, Ms Phillips has been a vocal campaigner against domestic violence and has won plaudits from both sides of the House for her powerful speeches in the Commons.

The new Labour Leader also made Angela Rayner, the party’s new deputy leader and chairwoman, shadow first secretary of state and said she will deputise for him at Prime Minister’s Questions and in other key functions.

Sir Keir promoted Liz Kendall, who came last in the 2015 Labour leadership contest alongside defeated contender in the 2020 deputy leadership race Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, an A and E doctor.

Former shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary, Tracy Brabin, who was dropped from the front bench team in favour of Jo Stevens, has been given a more junior post as a shadow culture minister.

Sir Keir said: “This is a new team that will take the Labour Party forward in a new era.

“Under my leadership, the Labour Party will be utterly focused on working in the national interest, rebuilding people’s trust in our party and winning the next election.”

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