Andy Burnham appoints Wes Streeting as defence secretary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed his first cabinet, naming Wes Streeting as the new defence secretary in a major reshuffle that blends continuity with significant change. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, formally assumed office on July 20, 2026, after being invited by King Charles III to form a government following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

The new cabinet sees several senior Labour figures moving into key roles. Ed Miliband has been appointed foreign secretary, shifting from his previous position as energy secretary. Yvette Cooper moves from the foreign office to become health secretary, while Angela Rayner returns to frontline politics as housing secretary. Lucy Powell takes on the role of education secretary. Shabana Mahmood remains as home secretary, and Pat McFadden continues as work and pensions secretary.

The most notable appointment is that of Wes Streeting to the Ministry of Defence. Streeting, who resigned as health secretary two months prior, returns to the cabinet in a senior security role. He has no prior experience in a defence or foreign affairs brief, an appointment that has drawn scrutiny from some quarters. In his first press...