Thangam Debbonaire made Shadow Culture Secretary

A reshuffle of Labour's top team has seen Lucy Powell leave the post of Shadow Culture Secretary, being replaced by Thangam Debbonaire.

Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol West, worked as a professional cellist prior to her political career and is married to former actor, now opera singer Peter Walton.

She served as a shadow arts and culture minister between January and June 2016, but resigned from post in the wake of the EU referendum result, stating that former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn was "not the right person to show strong leadership through Brexit negotiations".

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Prior to her political career she trained as a cellist at Chethams School of Music. She went on to become an associate at the Royal College of Music and performed professionally, including with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and at the National Theatre.

Since 2020, Debbonaire has undertaken roles as Labour Whip, Shadow Minister for the Department for Exiting the European Union and Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Homelessness. Debbonaire has been the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons since May 2021.

She is also a member of the parliamentary string quartet, called Statutory Instruments, performing concerts at Westminster to raise the spirits of politicians and their staff. She said her aim for the ensemble was, "to draw attention to the fact that music and other creative outlets are good for everybody at all times of their lives".

'Incredibly important sectors'

Posting on X, Debbonaire said: "Thrilled to take on this exciting role. As a musician I know the value of these incredibly important sectors to people’s lives, jobs and our economy.

"Labour [governments] always back Britain’s world-leading culture, media and sport. Looking forward to working with everyone involved.

Also posting on X, Opera Singer Jennifer Johnston, said: "She went to [Chetham's School of Music] and [Royal College of Music] and is a cellist. Finally a musician representing the arts in the shadow cabinet".

Debbonaire replaces Lucy Powell as part of a Labour reshuffle that come with less than 18 months to go until the next general election.

Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, was appointed Shadow Culture Secretary by Keir Starmer in November 2021 and moves on to the post of Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.

Commenting on her move Powell said: "Sorry to leave all the wonderful people I’ve worked with in DCMS brief.

"I’m really proud of what our DCMS team has achieved over the last nearly two years: stopping Channel 4 sell-off, getting online safety bill, getting a football regulator, supporting arts, committing Labour government to a new creative curriculum, shaping agenda around tech & AI, defending local radio."