UK govt’s responsibility is safety of its citizens, says Shabana Mahmood on taking charge as new Home Secretary after Cabinet reshuffle

Shabana Mahmood has become the new UK Home Secretary in a surprise cabinet reshuffle. This change came after Yvette Cooper stepped down, and the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer shuffled its cabinet following Angela Rayner’s resignation.

Mahmood, a well-known Labour politician, took over as Home Secretary on Friday. She expressed her honor and commitment to her new role, emphasizing that the safety of UK citizens is the government’s top priority. On her official X (Twitter) account, she shared, “It is the honor of my life to serve as Home Secretary. The first responsibility of the government is the safety of its citizens. Every day, I will work hard to ensure this.”

The UK Home Department also welcomed her on X, saying, “For over two centuries, the Home Secretary has protected the nation. Today, we begin a new chapter with @ShabanaMahmood as the UK’s new Home Secretary.”

In addition to her appointment, David Lammy was also named the new Deputy Prime Minister. Mahmood now faces one of the UK’s most challenging jobs, especially as the country deals with rising issues like record crossings of Channel migrants, asylum hotel accommodations, and migration policies.

Before becoming Home Secretary, Mahmood served as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary. She worked on major issues like prison overcrowding and introduced new laws to reform the British prison system earlier this week. She also focused on the backlog in courts, a pressing problem in the justice system.

A daughter of immigrants from Kashmir, Mahmood has been actively involved in immigration debates. She recently supported Prime Minister Starmer’s comments about Britain possibly becoming an “island of strangers”—a phrase she resonated with, stressing the importance of strong rules on migration and integration. She believes Britain should be a welcoming country, built on good neighbors and shared values.

Her appointment comes at a time of rising public concern over small boat crossings, the treatment of asylum seekers, and the handling of immigration policies. This has led to protests and political criticism from opposition parties.

Earlier this year, Mahmood suggested reforming the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to regain public trust. She said it is acceptable for ministers to question how the UK interprets the treaty, which is seen by some European countries as being too restrictive. As Home Secretary, she will oversee plans to tighten rules related to Article 8 of the ECHR, which protects family and private life in immigration cases. These proposals are expected this autumn.

In her previous role as Justice Secretary, Mahmood also pushed for laws to deport foreign criminals more quickly after they serve custodial sentences, aiming to increase the number of migrants removed from the UK if they have no legal right to stay. She stated last month, “If you break our laws, we will send you back home faster than ever before.”

Her appointment has received positive feedback from political figures like Lord Glasman, founder of Blue Labour, who called her selection “fantastic” and said she is now a prominent leader within the party.

Overall, Mahmood’s new role as UK Home Secretary signals a focus on immigration, national security, and justice reform as she takes on one of the UK government’s most important jobs.