Steve Reed

Steve Reed, Labour and Co operative MP for Streatham and Croydon North, is one of Labour's more seasoned operators: council leader, long serving MP, shadow cabinet regular, former Environment Secretary, and, until July 2026, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Reed left the Cabinet on 20 July 2026 in Andy Burnham's first reshuffle as prime minister, reported as the first cabinet minister to go. He did not give a reason in his letter to Burnham, writing that he was "disappointed to be leaving Government now" while wishing the new government success. He is now a backbench MP for Streatham and Croydon North. Reed was first elected to Parliament in 2012 for Croydon North, and now represents the redrawn Streatham and Croydon North seat.

Reed's career has substance. Before Parliament, he led Lambeth Council, which gave him practical governing experience rather than just the usual route of "adviser, think tank, safe seat, ministerial box." He understands local government, housing pressures and public service delivery from the inside. That mattered in his housing brief, because councils across England are under acute financial strain.

Reed also has a reputation for discipline. He is a capable communicator, rarely chaotic, and was clearly trusted by Keir Starmer's operation. His shadow roles in communities, justice and environment showed that Labour saw him as a reliable minister in waiting rather than a decorative backbencher.

At Defra he set out plans on fairness for farmers and a long term roadmap for the food system, against a backdrop of rural anger over inheritance tax changes and wider frustration over supermarket power and post Brexit subsidies.

He also ran into trouble over claims comparing English and Scottish water pollution, with the UK Statistics Authority warning that the statements lacked sufficient transparency and context.