UK's First Muslim Female Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood

On 5 September 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reshuffled his cabinet following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. As part of the shake-up, Shabana Mahmood—previously the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor—was elevated to the post of Home Secretary, overseeing immigration, policing, and national security.

This marks a historic moment: Mahmood is the first muslim woman of Pakistani descent to lead the Home Office.

Born in Birmingham in 1980 to parents originally from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Mahmood spent parts of her childhood between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Educated at Oxford University (Lincoln College), she then became a practicing barrister before entering politics. She was first elected MP for Birmingham Ladywood in 2010 and has since risen through key roles in Labour’s shadow and ministerial teams.

During her time as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Mahmood spearheaded significant reforms aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, including early release programs. She also took firm stances on sentencing safety and human rights reforms—an ideological blend sometimes described as “Blue Labour” pragmatism.

Now at the helm of one of Britain's most powerful ministries, Mahmood’s experience, faith-informed worldview, and strategic instincts place her in a spotlight where her decisions will shape critical aspects of UK governance.