Labour reshuffles shadow cabinet following local election losses

Sir Keir Starmer makes changes to his top team after disappointing results

Rachel Reeves becomes first woman to hold shadow chancellorship

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has reshuffled his shadow cabinet following his party's disappointing performance in the local elections. The changes include the appointment of Rachel Reeves as shadow chancellor, making her the first woman to hold the post. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is also among a record number of women in the shadow cabinet.

The reshuffle comes after Labour lost control of several councils in the local elections, including key target seats in London and the Midlands. Starmer said the results were "disappointing" and that the party needed to "learn lessons".

The new shadow cabinet includes a number of changes, with some senior figures moving to different roles. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds has been moved to the role of shadow secretary of state for women and equalities, while Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy has been appointed shadow secretary of state for levelling up.

The reshuffle has been welcomed by some Labour MPs, who said it showed that Starmer was listening to the party's concerns. However, others have expressed concerns that the changes do not go far enough and that Starmer needs to do more to address the party's problems.

It remains to be seen whether the reshuffle will be enough to improve Labour's fortunes. The party is currently trailing the Conservatives in the polls and faces an uphill battle to win the next general election.