Lucy Powell appointed Education Secretary

Miserable that what would have been an incredibly easy symbolic change (leaving W&E in Education with Lucy Powell even) was seemingly beyond Burnham. If he can't give the cheap symbolic stuff – what does that say about his ability to grapple with actually serious policy issues.

Lucy Powell, "I'm a woman, I'm a feminist and I see absolutely no contradiction in being a woman and also supporting the trans community to feel included and to have their rights as well," 30 September 2025.

"Bridget Phillipson, who has been replaced as education secretary by Lucy Powell, will remain a cabinet member as minister for women and equalities." The owner of the toilet police policy? Burnham has learned nothing. He already deserves to go the same way as Starmer.

Lucy Powell is SoS Education Johnny Reynolds back to Business Annaliese Midgley as Chief Whip Those ones were all expected. Philipson is keeping Equalities.

She was a fantastic Education Secretary. An absolute travesty. If she walks away with nothing I can only conclude that she was dumped because she was loyal to Starmer, and nothing more. A massive loss.

If Bridget Phillipson is removed as Education Secretary, it will be a disgrace.

@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social Obviously, today was going to ring in a lot of changes but I'm still disappointed to hear that you are no longer Education Secretary. I thought you were the strongest contender to retain your post. Ah, well. Good luck with your new office.

Inspired choice to make the most gormless person on the Labour front bench the education secretary.

Yes. Lucy Powell is a crony choice and not a good one.

The most important fact about Lucy Powell is that she has the same birthday as me ☺️ (She is the second Ed Sec to do so. The other being Nicky Morgan who was Ed Sec when Lucy was the shadow!)

Because she's not one of Burnham's mates. And so the merry-go-round turns again and another Education Secretary departs. Children deserve better.

In May 2024 Bridget Phillipson promised me and my eco-commitee she would put climate in education... she didn't manage it and we have another couple of years before the national curriculum for England goes through its slow "evolution". Hope Lucy Powell MP makes a better job of it.

Angela Rayner has returned to her former Communities Secretary role after resigning over unpaid stamp duty last year Elsewhere, Lucy Powell is the new Education Secretary, and Jonathan Reynolds will lead an expanded business department Anneliese Midgley, a close Burnham ally, is the new Chief Whip

BBC: "Bridget Phillipson to remain a full member of cabinet as minister for women and equalities, but is no longer education secretary" This might sound good, as it keeps her away from kids, but the fear is that this leaves her free to shit on LGBT people full time.

Now to hear Streeting is Defence Sec, well I don't suppose he'll do anything about the Palantir contract. Another dreadful appointment. Also sorry to hear about Phillipson leaving education, which is my field, she has done an amazing job there, to replace her with Lucy Powell is so disheartening.