Labour confirms Nandy as new DCMS lead

Nandy takes up the position following the Labour landslide general election win last week. She will now lead the department for culture, media and sport (DCMS), which counts gambling within its far-reaching remit.

MP for Wigan since May 2010, Nandy most recently served as shadow cabinet minister for international development, among other shadow roles while Labour were in opposition.

Bristol Central MP Thangam Debbonaire was shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport in the most recent shadow cabinet. However, she lost her seat in the general election to the Green Party. 

Labour has now turned to Nandy to take on the role following last week’s landslide victory.

“From rugby league to Royal Opera, our cultural and sporting heritage runs through our towns, villages and cities and is one of our country’s greatest assets,” Nandy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. 

“It is an unbelievable privilege to take on the role of secretary of state. The hard work begins today.”

Labour yet to confirm new gambling minister

Starmer’s initial focus has been on getting his cabinet in place. With all senior positions filled, attention now turns to more junior positions.

These include gambling minister; or to give the role its full title, the parliamentary under secretary of state for sport, gambling and civil society and minister for equalities. This is a junior role within the DCMS.

Stuart Andrew most recently held the role under the last two Conservative governments.

Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South, was serving as shadow gambling minister for the Labour opposition. The party is yet to confirm whether she will take on the role full time.