[16] Since then the Labour Party has performed strongly in opinion polls in the lead up to the 2024 general election.
[17] Labour gains in the by-elections in Wakefield and Selby and Ainsty consolidated their electoral performance as did the 2022 local elections.
[18] In August 2023, it was speculated in the media that Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner could have her responsibilities changed.
[22] It included the promotion of Blairites Hilary Benn and Pat McFadden who served under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
[28] Jim McMahon resigned as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, citing ill health, and returned to the backbenches.
[31][32][33] John Rentoul wrote in The Independent that Starmer delaying the reshuffle was to avoid a revolt from the left wing of the party.
[36] Starmer was described as demoting figures from the soft left of the party and promoting in their place his loyalists as well as Blairites.
[37][38][39] While there were leading figures on the soft left who remained in the shadow cabinet, such as Ed Miliband, Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner, the faction was thought to have lost most of its influence.