Downing Street confirms David Lammy as new deputy PM after Rayner exit

It is the honour of my life to serve as Home Secretary.

The first responsibility of government is the safety of its citizens.

Every day in this job, I will be devoted to that purpose. https://t.co/w3UxrNLb2p

Former British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said she deeply regretted her mistake of underpaying property tax on a new home, in a damaging blow for her boss, Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

After Britain's independent adviser ruled that she had breached the ministerial code by failing to pay the correct tax, there was little Starmer could do to protect his deputy, saying he was "very sad to be losing you from the government", describing her as a "trusted colleague and a true friend".

Read More: UK announces £1.2m for Sindh flood response

Starmer moved foreign minister David Lammy to become deputy prime minister, replacing him with interior minister Yvette Cooper. Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood took over Cooper’s role. All three are considered loyalists.

The reshuffle was deeper than expected, forced by Rayner’s departure after Britain’s independent adviser ruled she had breached the ministerial code by failing to pay the correct property tax.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner exits a vehicle in Downing Street in London, Britain, March 26, 2025.PHOTO: REUTERS

The independent adviser on ministerial standards ruled Rayner had broken the code because she had failed to heed the warning within the legal advice - which she said she had relied on - to seek expert advice on her complicated financial situation.

"It is with deep regret that I must advise you that in these circumstances, I consider the Code to have been breached," he said, referring to rules to make sure the conduct of politicians meet the standards of public service.

Reform celebrates

With Labour trailing Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK in the polls, Starmer faces difficult state spending and tax choices as he seeks to repair his party's image after accusations of hypocrisy by critics over accepting expensive items including clothing and concert tickets from donors.

Also Read: Why did Lush shut every UK shop and website in one day?

On the first day of Reform's party conference in the central English city of Birmingham, Farage brought forward his speech by three hours to address Rayner's resignation.

A Statement from me: pic.twitter.com/5NmhJeKDRV

Farage said the Labour government was in "deep crisis" and the next election may take place in 2027, implying that Labour, who hold a big majority, might call one early for fear its support was slipping.

"Despite all the promises that this would be a new, different type of politics, is as bad, if not worse, than the one that went before," he told the audience to loud applause.

For Starmer, losing his deputy is particularly damaging, especially as Rayner - once a working-class teenage mother - had been able to mediate between Labour's left and centrist wings to keep the party united, and had a wider appeal than Starmer.

"Any resignation is a blow, especially Ange (Rayner), but she clearly had to go," said one Labour lawmaker, adding she would probably stay quiet for a while but could, at a later date, try to mount a challenge against Starmer.

Rayner had been forced to refer herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards on Wednesday after admitting that she had made a mistake over the tax payment.

Political fallout

Rayner’s departure has rattled Starmer, whose Labour Party has fallen behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in opinion polls. Farage, addressing supporters at his party’s conference in Birmingham, called Labour “in deep crisis.”

“Despite all the promises that this would be a new, different type of politics, it is as bad, if not worse, than the one that went before,” he said to applause.