Keir Starmer 'plans to sack Labor Party chairman in pre-election reshuffle'

Keir Starmer is expected to complete the renewal of his shadow cabinet after this year's party conference. Photo: Stéphane Rousseau/PA

Sir Keir Labor Party sources believe Starmer plans to sack his party chairman in a pre-election reshuffle.

The Labor Party leader is expected to complete the renewal of his shadow cabinet after the party conference this year, which will take place in October. .

Several high-profile frontline figures are likely to be moved because Sir Keir refuses to make any changes that he doesn't think will have a direct impact on Labour's position in the polls, sources say.

However, Labor Party officials widely expect him to demote Anneliese Dodds, chairman, and replace her with a figure with extensive campaigning experience.

One source said Ms Dodds was «not political enough» to be chairman party, while another argued that she did not combine her two positions of chairman and shadow women and minister for equality.

Shabana Mahmoud, Labor's national campaign coordinator, is often referred to at Labor headquarters as her replacement.

The chair is likely to become increasingly important in the coming months as Labor prepares for the next general election and tries to maintain its affiliation. unions inside.

Sir Keir's reshuffling is also expected to align his shadow ministerial portfolios with those of new Whitehall departments, including the Department of Business and Trade and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Lucy Powell, Shadow Minister of Culture is interested in to take on the role of Shadow Secretary for Science, allowing her to be in charge of AI, telecommunications and technology policy, which she manages from her current position.

It was previously thought that Darren Jones, chairman of the House of Commons Committee on Business and Commerce, would be moved to the shadow cabinet, but sources suggested he would be ignored in favor of Ms Powell.

Insiders said it was unlikely to happen there any major changes in key roles around Sir Keir, including David Lammy as Shadow Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper as Shadow Home Secretary and Rachel Reeves as Shadow Chancellor.

But a reshuffling to align his shadow cabinet with Whitehall departments could also raise questions about the position of Angela Rayner, who has multiple positions including shadow secretary of state for the future of work.

Labor relations announcements instead of his often done by Ms Reeves or Jonathan Reynolds, secretary of shadow business.

Despite reports of disagreements between Sir Keir and Ms Rayner, the Labor leader cannot dismiss his deputy because the position is directly elected party members.

Ms Rayner kept a low profile in recent «mission» announcements that instead featured Ms Reeves, Ms Cooper, Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband.

She last appeared on the morning of the party interview round on April 23, sparking new rumors about plans to raise the labor tax, when she answered a question about the capital gains tax by saying she wants to make the tax system «more fair to workers.» Ms Reeves later ruled out an increase in the levy.

The Labor spokesman declined to comment on rumors of a reshuffle.