<p><span>Thangam Debbonaire has become the new shadow housing secretary in Labour’s reshuffled cabinet following the appointment of new leader Keir Starmer.</span><span></span></p><p><span>The new Labour leader has picked Debbonaire, MP for Bristol West since 2015. From January to October 2016 she was shadow minister for culture, media and sport, moving onto opposition whip.</span><span></span></p><p><span>Debbonaire replaces John Healey, now shadow defence secretary.</span><span></span></p><p><span>Writing on Labour’s website, Debbonaire said: “I am honoured to have been asked to serve the country as shadow secretary of state for housing and I look forward to campaigning for strong housing policies that will improve lives across the country.</span><span></span></p><p><span>"In this national crisis and the effort to limit the spread of Covid-19, our homes are becoming more important than ever.”</span><span></span></p><p> </p><p><span>Other appointments to the shadow cabinet include Angela Rayner as deputy leader and chair, with the former Labour leader Ed Miliband now shadow business, energy and industrial strategy secretary. Jim McMahon has been appointed shadow transport secretary and Steve Reed shadow Communities and Local Government secretary.</span><span></span></p>