Luke Pollard has retained his role as Shadow Defra Secretary of State in new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet.

The MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Labour’s former shadow Defra Secretary of State, Sue Hayman, in 2017, moving up to Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2018.

He was then promoted to the Shadow Secretary of State role after Mrs Hayman lost her seat at the December 2019 General Election.

Rocky Lorusso, the National Farmers Union (NFU) acting head of external affairs, says they are looking forward to working with him again,

He said: “The NFU has developed a strong relationship with Luke over the past few years.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with him now he has been reappointed in the role, particularly regarding the Agriculture and Environment Bills.”

Sir Keir, who was elected new Labour leader last week securing victory in the first round of polling with 56.2 per cent of the vote, has now completed his shadow Cabinet reshuffle.

There’s a return to frontline politics for former Labour leader Ed Miliband, who takes on the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy role, while Emily Thornberry has been given the key Shadow International Trade position.

Other appointments from Sir Keir include David Lammy (Shadow Justice Secretary), Lord Falconer (Shadow Attorney General) and John Healey (Shadow Defence Secretary).