Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has today been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet by new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
A day after being announced as Jeremy Corbyn’s successor with more than 56% of members’ first preference votes, Mr Starmer this afternoon named Ms Reeves as shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as part of his shadow Cabinet reshuffle.
Ms Reeves had been a longstanding critic of previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and had previously called for him to resign.
Reacting to the news today, Ms Reeves said on Twitter:
It is a huge honour to be appointed by @Keir_Starmer to be shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, shadowing the Cabinet Office. I look forward to working with Keir and Team @UKLabour as we provide a constructive opposition at this incredibly difficult time for our country.
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) April 5, 2020
Historically, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responsible for the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy is the private estate of the Queen, but is separate to the Crown estate.
In modern times the involvement of the Chancellor in the running of the day-to-day affairs of the Duchy is slight. In practical terms, it is chiefly a senior advisory role.
Ms Reeves is set to spar with Michael Gove, who is the current Government Minister with the same title.
Mr Gove was appointed last year and has responsibility for advising the Prime Minister on policy development and implementation, particularly around Brexit. After the Prime Minister, his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is the most senior position in the Cabinet Office.