Keir Starmer has implemented a significant reshuffle of junior ministers within the Labour government, which has raised concerns regarding the future of the party’s workers’ rights agenda. This reshuffle appears to distance the government from union allies, particularly with the departure of key figures involved in shaping Labour’s employment rights initiatives.
Shabana Mahmood, who has publicly identified as a social conservative, has taken charge of the Home Office, indicating a potential shift in the government’s stance on immigration as it seeks to address challenges from Reform UK. Justin Madders, the employment rights minister and a key architect of Labour’s “new deal for working people,” was one of the first to be dismissed, announcing his departure personally rather than through official channels. His exit, alongside the removal of Angela Rayner as deputy leader, signifies a change in the leadership team responsible for the party’s ambitious employment rights bill.
Despite internal concerns, some government representatives maintain that Starmer remains committed to the employment rights bill, which proposes reforms such as immediate rights for workers and stricter regulations on zero-hours contracts. However, with the reshuffle, there are worries among union allies that the bill may face attempts to dilute its provisions.
Starmer’s decision to skip the upcoming TUC conference has further fueled speculation about the government’s relationship with unions. Meanwhile, Peter Kyle has been promoted to oversee the business department, raising questions about the potential direction of Labour’s workers’ rights policies.
The reshuffle extends beyond this area, with various appointments marking a generational change within Labour, particularly in the Home Office and the defence sector. New ministerial roles have been filled, while others, like Jim McMahon and Maria Eagle, have faced dismissal. As the Labour party navigates this internal shift, the implications for its commitments to workers’ rights and its relationship with unions remain to be seen.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/06/reshuffle-of-junior-ministers-raises-fears-over-future-of-labours-workers-rights-bill