The Labour MP said it was time for a ‘fresh start’
16:47, 06 Sep 2025Updated 17:44, 06 Sep 2025
Jim McMahon(Image: Getty Images)
Jim McMahon has lost his job as local government minister amid a shake up of top jobs by Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the exit of Angela Rayner.
The MP for Oldham West and Royton was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in July 2024, but today (September 6) Downing Street announced he had left the government.
In a statement, McMahon said: “I’ve had a wonderful experience in my role as Minister of State delivering on fixing local government, driving devolution in England, and working for a boss like Angela Rayner has been genuinely empowering and fulfilling, I’ll never forget the trust and confidence she placed in me.
“Now it’s time for a fresh start. Working people have been exploited and their efforts abused for too long. Quiet compliance and being asked to work to the grind and play by the rules without getting on in life has run its course. That is obvious. The Labour government must recognise that all politics is family and community.
“For over a decade working people and their communities have been hammered and patience for change has run out. It’s a hard inheritance but the reality. If people don’t urgently feel the benefit in better living standards; safer, cleaner and decent neighbourhoods then it’s for nothing.
Labour MP Jim McMahon(Image: Getty Images)
“I wish everyone in Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and wider local government the best for the future, you are all amazing and the country is lucky to have you.”
Sir Keir Starmer is carrying out a reshuffle of his junior ministers, including a shake-up at the Home Office.
The following appointments have been made:
– Dame Angela Eagle has been moved from the Home Office to serve as a minister in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
– Dame Diana Johnson, the former policing minister, will serve as a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions.
– Sarah Jones, who has served in both the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, has been appointed a Home Office minister.
– Jason Stockwood as investment minister jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury.
– Dan Jarvis as Cabinet Office minister. He will remain a minister in the Home Office.
– Baroness Smith of Malvern as skills minister in the Department for Work and Pensions, remaining as minister for women and equalities.
– Lord Vallance as energy minister, remaining as science minister.
– Michael Shanks as a minister jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
– Alison McGovern as a minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.