JAMES Murray has been chosen to fill the shoes of the resigning Wes Streeting and become the new Health Secretary.
But who exactly is former management consultant Mr Murray and what is his political history?
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New Health Secretary James Murray arriving at No10 today Credit: Reuters
He has been chosen to fill the shoes of the outgoing Wes Streeting Credit: Getty
Murray, the MP for Ealing North, in Greater London, was first elected in December 2019.
He has been a mainstay in Keir Starmer‘s cabinet, having served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury before replacing the outgoing Mr Streeting.
Murray grew up in Ealing with his brother and mum, who served as Labour Councillor for the local Cleveland ward between 2014 and 2018.
He went on to attending St Paul’s School, before studying PPE at Wadham College of the University of Oxford.
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Murray graduated with a first-class BA degree in 2004.
Opting to follow in his mother’s footsteps, he himself served as a councillor in Islington, representing the Barnsbury ward for a decade.
During his stint, he served as the borough’s executive member for housing and development for six years.
Trade magazine Inside Housing described Murray as a “tough negotiator who knows what he wants”.
The MP for Ealing North was first elected in December 2019 Credit: EPA
Murray has been a mainstay in Keir Starmer’s cabinet Credit: Doug Seeburg
Before becoming an MP, he advised Sadiq Khan during his successful campaigns to become Mayor of London in 2016.
As a result, he was appointed Deputy Mayor for Housing at City Hall, where he oversaw the £4.8 billion affordable homes programme.
The 42-year-old is a member of the Labour and Co-operative parties.
Labour has had an electoral agreement with the Co-operative Party since 1927, meaning joint candidates can stand in elections.
Despite the success of Boris Johnson and his Conservative majority, Murray was elected to Parliament in December 2019.
He secured his Ealing North seat with 56.5% of the vote and a majority of 12,269.
Murray went on to become a member of the Health and Social Care Committee at the time of the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020..
He was appointed to the Opposition Whips’ Office the following month.
In October the same year, following the resignation of Dan Carden, Murray was appointed Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
He was re-elected at the 2024 general election and he was appointed Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury in Keir Starmer’s cabinet.
In the 2025 British cabinet reshuffle, Murray replaced Darren Jones as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Murray was pictured smiling and waving at reporters as he arrived at Downing Street on his first full day as Health Secretary.
But he will be acutely aware of the mammoth task he faces preceding over the NHS.
Murray lives in West Ealing with his husband Tom Griffiths.
