Overview

• Angela Rayner resigned from government and party posts after an ethics report found she breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a Hove flat.
• Keir Starmer installed David Lammy as deputy prime minister and promoted Shabana Mahmood to home secretary in a swift reshuffle that continued through the weekend.
• Labour’s NEC will set the rules and timetable for the deputy leadership contest, with Dame Emily Thornberry confirming she is considering a bid and other names gathering support.
• Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham called for a reset, questioned the cabinet’s balance, and backed northern candidates such as Louise Haigh or Lucy Powell to counter a London‑centric image.
• Defence Secretary John Healey defended the response and said Rayner “is not a victim,” while debate grows over her severance pay and analysts warn the race could deepen party fractures and distract from governing.