Labour reshuffle: Bridget Phillipson replaces Kate Green as shadow education secretary

Phillipson replaces Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, in the role as part of a shake-up of the opposition’s frontbench.

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Phillipson said she was “delighted” to take up the position, writing on Twitter: “I had a wonderful education at my local state schools - and every child deserves that. 

“The last Labour government transformed the lives of a generation. I’ll work every day to see that change again.”

She paid tribute to her predecessor, saying Green “showed how ambitious we can be for our children’s future.”

I want to pay tribute to @KateGreenSU and her team for her fantastic work.

Kate showed how ambitious we can be for our children’s future. The Conservatives don’t even have a plan to help them catch up from the pandemic.

— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) November 29, 2021

Conservative Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi also thanked Green “for working across the political divide, especially this weekend, when you made time to discuss the new measures to tackle Omicron with me.”

In other moves, shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens has taken over from Nia Griffith as shadow Welsh secretary and has been replaced by Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central.

Lisa Nandy has been handed a new role scrutinising Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove while Yvette Cooper returns to the frontbenches as shadow home secretary.

Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, remains as shadow minister for early years and families.

Ahead of the reshuffle, Labour’s shadow secretary for young people Cat Smith resigned from her frontbench position.

Smith, who had served as shadow secretary of state for young people and democracy since 2016, said she had been invited by Keir Starmer to carry on in the role.

However, Smith resigned over the suspension of former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

It’s been an honour to serve on the Labour front bench since 2015 but I’m looking forward to spending even more time at home here in Lancashire and standing up for my constituents. pic.twitter.com/8pybEql5WB

— Cat Smith MP (@CatSmithMP) November 29, 2021

The MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood said on Twitter that it had “been an honour to serve on the Labour frontbench since 2015 but I’m looking forward to spending even more time at home here in Lancashire and standing up for my constituents.”

In a resignation letter, also published on the social media platform, Smith said she had been planning to “raise concerns” in a meeting later this week over Starmer’s failure to readmit Corbyn to the Parliamentary Labour Party despite him having his party membership reinstated.

Corbyn was suspended in October over a row about anti-semitism in the Labour Party.

“In returning to the backbenches, I wish your new shadow cabinet well,” Smith wrote, but called on Starmer to “reflect” on her concerns.

Smith’s replacement is yet to be announced.