Since winning a landslide majority in December 2019, UK Prime Minster Boris Johnson has been riding on a high. After pushing through a deal and getting the EU to finally agree, Brexit finally became a reality on the 31st of January – a celebration to some, doomsday to others.
Johnson kept his pre-election cabinet, but promised it would change after Brexit. Today was that day. Politicos around the country were glued to TV and computer screens as cameras broadcasted Downing Street. Everyone wanted to see who came and went, a great indicator of change.
There were several rumours before today. The remaining members of the Great Four Offices of State were seen as secure, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab likeliest to go if any of them did go. Many women were expected to go, including Business Sec Andrea Leadsom, Environment Sec Theresa Villiers and Work and Pensions Secretary (newest addition) Thérèse Coffey – something that upset some. Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General with a voice that could rival Brian Blessed, was another one expected on the chopping block. Grassroots favourite Jacob Rees-Mogg has been expected to lose his job since his ill-advised comments on the Grenfell Tower disaster early on in the election campaign.
Without further ado, here is the cabinet reshuffle:
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Before Reshuffle – Sajid Javid
After Reshuffle – Rishi Sunak
This one was a surprise. Though recent rumours pointed to a feud between Sajid Javid and Boris Johnson/Dominic Cummings, many thought he was safe in the post. When Johnson told Javid that he’d have to sack his special advisors if he was to stay, Javid decided against it and walked out. Rishi Sunak, formerly Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was promoted due to recent loyalty.
Foreign Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Dominic Raab
After Reshuffle – Dominic Raab
Despite rumours of feuding again, Raab was safe.
Home Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Priti Patel
After Reshuffle – Priti Patel
Unsurprising. Patel is popular with the membership and extremely tough on crime. She’s the perfect person to lead new terrorism and immigration laws.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Before Reshuffle – Michael Gove
After Reshuffle – Michael Gove
One of the safest bets, no surprise.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary for Justice
Before Reshuffle – Robert Buckland
After Reshuffle – Robert Buckland
Unlike Javid, Buckland let go of his advisors in order to keep his job. Awkward.
Secretary for Defence
Before Reshuffle – Ben Wallace
After Reshuffle – Ben Wallace
A contender that was believed to be toast, Wallace was brought back. He’s a steady pair of hands, did well during the Iran Crisis and is a long time ally of the Prime Minister. Considering we’re on our eighth Defence Secretary in ten years, it’s probably for the best that we have some continuity.
Secretary for Health and Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Matt Hancock
After Reshuffle – Matt Hancock
A moderniser who apparently loves his brief, it’s no surprise he’s safe – after all, Health Secretary is often seen as poisoned chalice.
Secretary for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Before Reshuffle – Andrea Leadsom
After Reshuffle – Alok Sharma
Apparently not competent in this brief, Leadsom was let go of – raw least surprising reshuffle.
Secretary for International Trade
Before Reshuffle- Liz Truss
After Reshuffle – Liz Truss
Popular with the young in the party and an enthusiast for international trade, Truss was never going to be demoted.
Secretary for Work and Pensions
Before Reshuffle – Thérèse Coffey
After Reshuffle – Thérèse Coffey
A bit of a surprise as she was expected to go, but Coffey still somehow managed to stay.
Secretary for Education
Before Reshuffle – Gavin Williamson
After Reshuffle – Gavin Williamson
He’s not made too many waves, which is good for an Education Secretary. It’s not a surprise he’s been kept in- it’s not a job you can hold for a short time if you want to see results.
Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Before Reshuffle – Theresa Villiers
After Reshuffle – George Eustice
Villiers was another one every expected out, so this was no surprise. Eustice has been in the ministry for this department for years, so was a natural replacement.
Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Before Reshuffle – Robert Jenrick
After Reshuffle – Robert Jenrick
An important role due to the housing crisis, Jenrick’s been neither here nor there. He was always a 50/50 this reshuffle, but he has youth on his side.
Secretary for Transport
Before Reshuffle – Grant Shapps
After Reshuffle – Grant Shapps
Johnson clearly wanted to avoid the disaster that was Chris Grayling, the previous Transport Sec. Shapps will be all too important as HS2 moves forward, so he’s probably seen as an ally.
Northern Ireland Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Julian Smith
After Reshuffle – Brandon Lewis
This was the big one, the one that ruffled all the feathers. Smith was widely seen as the most competent NI Secretary in decades, having made good friends in the region – she even helped bring power-sharing back. Brandon Lewis was Party Chair under May and formerly Minister of Security, a bit of a strange choice but not the worst one could have.
Scotland Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Alister Jack
After Reshuffle – Alister Jack
Seemed a reliable pair of hands, so no changes needed.
Wales Secretary
Before Reshuffle – Simon Hart
After Reshuffle – Simon Hart
As Wales gained more Tory seats in the election, this role will become more important. Hart hasn’t stirred too many mentions, so he was another 50/50.
Leader of the House of Lords/Privy Seal
Before Reshuffle – Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
After Reshuffle – Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
In the role since 2016, Baroness Evans has been instrumental in getting Brexit legislation through the Lords. She’s indispensable to the government, even now that Brexit is done.
Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Before Reshuffle – Baroness Nicky Morgan
After Reshuffle – Oliver Dowden
It was clear that Baroness Nicky Morgan wanted to retire from active political life, so Oliver Dowden, a loyal minister, was given the role.
Secretary of State for International Development
Before Reshuffle – Alok Sharma
After Reshuffle – Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Whilst Sharma got moved sideways, Trevelyan was given a promotion. She’s a foreign aid sceptic, so this might be an indicator of new foreign policy.
Minister Without Portfolio/Party Chair
Before Reshuffle – James Cleverly
After Reshuffle – Amanda Milling
James Cleverly was very popular as Party Chair, so many were upset by him being moved out. Amanda Milling is not well known and not being a James Cleverly type means support hasn’t been in her favour.
Additional Responsibilities:
First Secretary of State
Before Reshuffle – Dominic Raab
After Reshuffle – Dominic Raab
The de facto deputy since the role of Deputy PM is rarely used; Raab probably wasn’t going to lose this role.
President of the Board of Trade
Before Reshuffle – Liz Truss
After Reshuffle – Liz Truss
It’s combined with her International Trade role, so it was a given.
Minister for Women and Equalities
Before Reshuffle – Liz Truss
After Reshuffle – Liz Truss
It’s a role that moves around, but it fits Truss well.
Also Attends Cabinet:
Chief Secretary to the Treasury:
Before Reshuffle – Rishi Sunak
After Reshuffle – Stephen Barclay
The dependable Brexit Secretary before January 31st, it was widely expected that he would make a return to cabinet. That was proven right.
Leader of the House of Commons/ Lord President of the Council:
Before Reshuffle – Jacob Rees-Mogg
After Reshuffle – Jacob Rees-Mogg
This was a surprise to many, as Rees-Mogg had been effectively kicked off of the general election campaign due to ill-judged comments on Grenfell. Still, he was apparently trying to charm his way back into the PM’s good books- and it clearly worked.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
Before Reshuffle – Mark Spencer
After Reshuffle – Mark Spencer
Chief Whip is tough- you have to be tough and command respect from your colleagues. Maybe Spencer fits the bill well enough to stay.
Attorney General
Before Reshuffle – Geoffrey Cox
After Reshuffle – Suella Braverman
Another upset, as the legal expertise of Cox – who fought against the courts’ attempts to stop the prorogation- was considered first class. Apparently Cox valued the law over political partisanship, so that was probably the reason.
Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Before Reshuffle – Kwasi Kwarteng
After Reshuffle – Kwasi Kwarteng
Another low profile minister- perhaps a springboard to becoming a Secretary of State?
Northern Powerhouse Minister:
Before Reshuffle – Jake Berry
After Reshuffle – N/A
Will no longer be attending cabinet. Jake Berry has resigned – the role he was offered required substantial foreign travel and with three young children, including a baby only a few days old, he didn’t think that was for the best.
Minister for Housing
Before Reshuffle – Esther McVey
After Reshuffle – Chris Pincher
Esther McVey was believed to be on the firing line, but Chris Pincher has no housing record. Then again, neither did McVey. Still, Pincher is experienced.
Minister of State for Security
Before Reshuffle – Brandon Lewis
After Reshuffle – N/A
There has been no indication that this role will remain a cabinet position.
Minister for Environment and International Development
Before Reshuffle – Baron Goldsmith of Richmond Park
After Reshuffle – Baron Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Baron Goldsmith may have lost his seat, but gained a peerage and not one, but three ministerial positions. Not a bad deal – Johnson must like him a lot.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Before Reshuffle- Oliver Dowden
After Reshuffle – Penny Mordaunt
Dowden got a promotion. Penny Mordaunt is popular among the younger members and many were angered when she didn’t get to keep her Defence job (her and Johnson aren’t the best of friends apparently). Still, her class at being fired earned respect and many knew she’d be back. It’s not the biggest or most important role, but it’s a start.
