Shabana Mahmood has been appointed Home Secretary, taking on one of the government's most challenging roles amid mounting pressure over record Channel crossings and asylum accommodation. The appointment comes as the government faces criticism over its handling of small boat arrivals and the continued use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
Mahmood brings experience from her previous role as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, where she tackled the jail overcrowding crisis and introduced major prison system reforms to Parliament this week. She has also focused on reducing court backlogs during her tenure in the justice brief.
Background and political stance
The Birmingham Ladywood MP is the most senior Muslim woman in government and the daughter of Kashmiri immigrants. She has previously backed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) after his controversial comments about Britain risking becoming an "island of strangers".
When asked about repeating Starmer's language, Mahmood said: "I agree with the Prime Minister that without curbs on migration, without making sure that we have strong rules that everyone follows, and that we have a pace of immigration that allows for integration into our country, we do risk becoming a nation of people estranged from one another."
She added: "And what he has described is something that I absolutely believe in, and which are the values of the Labour Party, which is a desire to see this country as a nation of neighbours."
Immigration policy focus
Mahmood has called for reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights to restore public confidence across the continent. She told the Lords Constitution Committee this week that it is "perfectly fine" for ministers to question the UK's interpretation of the treaty, noting that European colleagues view Britain as being on the "maximalist end of the spectrum".
The former barrister will oversee proposals to tighten Article 8 protections - the right to family and private life - in immigration cases, expected this autumn. She has also proposed law changes allowing immediate deportation of foreign criminals upon receiving custodial sentences.
"If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing," Mahmood said last month. "Deportations are up under this Government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before."
Political support and challenges
Blue Labour founder Lord Glasman welcomed the appointment as "fantastic", telling Politico: "She's now clearly the leader of our part of the party." Mahmood has previously identified with the socially conservative Blue Labour movement.
Speaking about her constituency, which is 70% non-white, Mahmood told The Spectator: "If you ask my constituents, they want a fair managed migration system. They think there should be rules."
Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon acknowledged "important progress" by predecessor Yvette Cooper but warned of significant challenges ahead. He said the new Home Secretary must "rapidly" end asylum hotel use, speed up application decisions, and expand safe legal pathways for refugees.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
