Douglas Alexander to remain Scottish Secretary under Burnham
Douglas Alexander will remain Secretary of State for Scotland after new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed his cabinet on Monday. The Labour veteran said he was "very happy" to keep the post and pledged to keep being Scotland's voice around the Cabinet table.
Key Takeaways
- Douglas Alexander stays on as Scottish Secretary in Andy Burnham's first cabinet.
- He called the role an honour and backed Burnham's push to decentralise power.
- Several Starmer-era ministers, including Rachel Reeves and David Lammy, confirmed they were leaving.
- Scotland's First Minister John Swinney congratulated Burnham but still wants more powers and a second independence referendum.
The confirmation ends days of speculation about a wider reshuffle at the Scotland Office. For more breaking UK political and market-moving coverage, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts desk.
Why does Douglas Alexander staying put matter?
Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, replaced Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday after becoming Labour leader last week. According to the BBC, Alexander went into 10 Downing Street shortly after 22:00 and left just after 23:00.
Keeping Alexander in post signals continuity on Scotland while other big portfolios turn over. A host of Starmer cabinet ministers confirmed they were leaving, including Peter Kyle, Rachel Reeves and David Lammy.
Alexander first held the Scottish Secretary job from 2006 to 2007. He returned to the role in September 2025 after Ian Murray was sacked, having earlier served Starmer as Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security.
What did Douglas Alexander say about the job?
In a social media statement, Alexander said: "It is an honour to be asked to continue my work as Secretary of State for Scotland."
He added that in "challenging times" he was determined to be "Scotland's voice around the Cabinet table, working constructively to solve problems and seize opportunities on behalf of the Scottish people."
Alexander also said he was delighted to have the new prime minister's confidence. Burnham's desire "to decentralise power to enable communities to shape their own futures rather than being directed from the centre," he argued, "will chime with Scottish sentiment as much as the rest of the UK."
How have Scottish leaders reacted to Burnham?
First Minister John Swinney congratulated Burnham and said his government would "engage constructively" on devolving more responsibilities to Scotland. Swinney plans to push for the power to hold a second independence referendum, though Burnham has confirmed he will maintain UK government opposition to a second poll. Swinney also wants energy and economic powers devolved.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was confident Burnham would deliver the change "our country so desperately needs," calling for communities to be re-empowered and for re-industrialisation across the UK.
Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord wished Burnham well but urged action over "empty promises." The Scottish Greens pressed the new prime minister to rule out new North Sea drilling and invest in a "genuinely just transition."