British Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds walks on Downing Street after Britain’s newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office, in London, Britain, July 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband was appointed U.K. Foreign Secretary on Monday (July 20, 2026) as the country’s new Prime Minister put together his Cabinet with some old faces from the Keir Starmer Cabinet and some new names.
Mr. Miliband — whose focus has been clean energy and climate action — was the Energy Minister in the Starmer administration. Mr. Miliband had visited India in February 2025 to co-chair the fourth Energy Dialogue between the countries.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated his new British counterpart on website X. He wrote, “The India-U.K. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed a strong momentum in recent years, including the entry into force of CETA. Look forward to working together to advance our cooperation.”
Former U.K. Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper was appointed Health Secretary.
John Healey, who resigned from the Starmer Cabinet over inadequate defence investments, was appointed the Chancellor of the Exchequer (i.e., Finance Minister). Shabana Mahmood is continuing as Home Secretary. Mr. Burnham had earlier said he intended to follow through with the significant tightening of immigration that Ms. Mahmood had proposed under the Starmer government (the details are expected to be finalised towards the end of the year).
Wes Streeting, who had resigned as Health Secretary from the Starmer Cabinet in recent weeks and became a potential contender for the Prime Minister’ job, was appointed Defence Secretary. Lisa Nandy is continuing as Culture Secretary.
India-born Kanishka Narayan , who is an MP from the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, was elevated to the post of AI Minister. He was already a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Starmer administration , which is the equivalent of a Minister of State.
“A nation which welcomed a 12-year old and his family, gave us the best chance at opportunity, put me in Parliament as Wales’ first ethnic minority MP, and now affords me the chance to make a mark in Cabinet,” Mr. Narayan, who was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, wrote on X.
Miatta Fahnbulleh was appointed Energy Secretary, replacing Mr. Milliband. She was a junior minister in the Starmer administration, resigning shortly after Labour’s losses in the May local elections. Former Home Office Minsiter Alex Norris was appointed Justice Secretary.
Published – July 21, 2026 08:11 am IST
