UK Government appoints new Maritime Minister

In the UK Government’s cabinet reshuffle this week, Maritime Minister Mike Kane was replaced by Keir Mather MP, who takes over his role within the Department for Transport (DfT).

Labour MP for Selby, 27-year-old Maher was appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state in the DfT, becoming the youngest minister since Willaim Gladstone in the early 19th century.

Mr Mather worked for Health Secretary Wes Streeting as a researcher before he became MP for Selby and Ainsty, Yorkshire,  in a 2023 by-election. He then became the youngest MP after overturning a 20,137-vote Conservative majority, the largest by his party.

Mr Streeting publicly endorsed the new Maritime Minister as “sharp mind, excellent judgment, empathetic leader and one of the nicest people in politics.”

Mike Kane had occupied the Maritime Minister position since the Labour general election win in July 2024.