Sarah Jones

Forget Rachel Reeves. Barring any upsets or post-election reshuffles, Sarah Jones is the person to watch when it comes to allocating public spending and encouraging private investment. As the shadow (soon to be actual) minister for industry and decarbonisation, Jones will be responsible for a significant chunk of Labour’s multi-billion green plan. Although it’s been scaled back, that’s still £15 billion – a third of which would be new money. She is a relatively new MP, having defeated Gavin Barwell to take Croydon Central in 2017. Barwell became Theresa May’s chief of staff; Jones quoted Stormzy in her maiden speech. From there she has risen up the shadow ministerial ranks with briefs including housing and police and fire services. She backed Keir Starmer for leader in 2020; now he looks poised to reward her loyalty with one of the most important portfolios in government.