As home secretary, Shabana Mahmood will face enormous challenges

<p>With Reform exploiting tensions in society, Mahmood must address frustration about immigration</p><p>Shabana Mahmood already showed she was willing to defy convention when she praised Margaret Thatcher for smashing a political mould – now she’s making history as the first Muslim woman to hold one of Britain’s great offices of state.</p><p>It’s not the new home secretary’s only moment as a surprising politician. Mahmood has spoken of how she has a “natural affinity for the faith, flag and family element of Blue Labour”, a small socially conservative fraction of the party which now holds some sway in No 10.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/07/as-home-secretary-shabana-mahmood-will-face-enormous-challenges">Continue reading...</a>