Louise Haigh
United Kingdom
Labour Co-operative
First Secretary of State
government
Louise Margaret Haigh is a British politician who has served as First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office since July 2026. She previously served as Secretary of State for Transport from July to November 2024. A member of the Labour Party, she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Heeley since 2015. She held various shadow ministerial and shadow cabinet positions between 2015 and 2024.
Standing...
Stories...
Sep 16, 2026
Lean Left
The Cabinet minister told the TUC conference she will strengthen the right to request flexible working, forcing employers to explain rejections face to face.
This is a core Labour offer to workers and a direct challenge to employer groups who warn of added bureaucracy; Haigh is positioning the party firmly on the side of employees.
Sep 16, 2026
Far Left
Announced new workers' rights rules forcing bosses to meet employees who request flexible working and justify refusals.
Green and radical left voices see this as a timid step that still leaves gig workers, zero-hours contracts, and union power unaddressed, far short of the transformative labour law they demand.