Pat McFadden

McFadden's career is marked by longevity and resilience in British politics. He has served under four Labour prime ministers or leaders and held a range of ministerial roles across two decades. His appointment as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions places him at the centre of the government's welfare reform agenda, overseeing major changes such as the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap. He is recognised as a key architect of civil service reform, having abolished the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) and established the Ethics and Integrity Commission. His ability to return to the frontbench after being dismissed in 2016 and to retain his position after a leadership change in 2026 speaks to his resilience and respect within the party.