Keir Starmer's reshuffle is about doubling down on Labour's new seriousness

WHEN Sue Gray worked in government one of her many sought-after skills was her advice W on reshuffles. Today she reports for duty as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff and will walk straight into a reshuffle.

- Philip Collins

In a way this is an odd time to change the shadow cabinet. A few people are going to have to scribble a new speech for Labour party conference without much notice.

That said, there should be a clear purpose to the changes which is to assemble the Labour team which will form the next government. Sue Gray has come into Starmer's office, with an impeccable pedigree as a Whitehall insider, to work on the transition into government. It is to be hoped she wastes no time on further reforms to government departments. Which brings us to the reshuffle and which person should sit where.