Gay Labour MP Keir Mather becomes youngest government minister in nearly 200 years

Gay Labour MP Keir Mather has become the youngest government minister in the UK since William Gladstone in 1834. At just 27 years old, Mather was named Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport as part of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle.

Mather, who entered Parliament in 2023 after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election, quickly rose through the ranks, previously serving as an assistant government whip. His victory in the by-election overturned a significant Conservative majority, and he retained the newly renamed Selby seat in the 2024 general election with a commanding 46.3% of the vote.

The reshuffle, prompted by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, saw several key changes, including Yvette Cooper moving to the Foreign Office and Shabana Mahmood becoming the UK’s first Muslim woman Home Secretary.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised Mather’s appointment, describing him as having a “sharp mind, excellent judgment, empathetic leadership, and one of the nicest people in politics.” Mather himself expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “Keeping Britain moving is central to achieving economic growth. Looking forward to getting started!”

Mather’s appointment is not only notable for his age but also for his openness about his identity. As a gay man and vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, he has previously spoken out in support of trans rights and challenged controversial views on gender identity.

In a 2023 interview with The Times, he stated: “A woman is like my mum or my stepsister, somebody who is born biologically a woman. But there is a very small minority of people who feel they’ve been born into the wrong gender and they deserve respect and care.”

Mather has also publicly criticised trans-exclusionary views. At an Oxford Union debate in 2018, he reportedly called feminist Germaine Greer “abhorrent” for her stance on trans issues. When asked about this after becoming an MP, he reaffirmed: “What I said is on the record. I strongly disagree with her outlook and approach to the issue.”