Elections Daily
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Twitch
    Monday, March 27
    • Congressional Vote Tracker
    • The Election Shuffler
    • The Poll Adjuster
    • Maps Database
    • Redistricting Radar
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Twitch
    Elections Daily
    • About Us
    • Contributors
    • Articles
    • Interviews
    • Election Ratings
    • Tools
      • Congressional Vote Tracker
      • The Election Shuffler
      • The Poll Adjuster
      • Maps Database
      • Redistricting Radar
    Elections Daily
    Home»Articles»UK Cabinet Reshuffle- February 2020
    Articles

    UK Cabinet Reshuffle- February 2020

    Sarah StookBy Sarah StookFebruary 13, 2020No Comments9 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    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.

    boris johnson brexit cabinet minister politics united kingdom
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    Sarah Stook
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Sarah Stook is a freelance writer with a great interest in US politics. Her area of interest is the Republican Party, presidential elections and how campaigns are conducted. You can follow her on Twitter at @sarah_stook.

    Related Posts

    District Profiles: Connecticut’s Congressional Districts

    March 27, 2023

    How to Become President: A 10-Step Guide

    March 23, 2023

    District Profiles: Colorado’s Congressional Districts

    March 22, 2023

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Get the latest election news delivered to your inbox from Elections Daily
    Loading
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitch
    Top Articles

    District Profiles: Connecticut’s Congressional Districts

    March 27, 2023

    How to Become President: A 10-Step Guide

    March 23, 2023

    District Profiles: Colorado’s Congressional Districts

    March 22, 2023

    Could Trump Really Avoid Arrest by Staying at Mar-A-Lago?

    March 21, 2023
    Archives
    Categories
    Follow Elections Daily

    Enter your email address to follow Elections Daily and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Donate

    Support Elections Daily

    Amazon Affiliate

    Support Elections Daily by purchasing from Amazon.com through this affiliate link. A percentage of your purchase will go to Elections Daily, helping us continue to provide quality content.

    Maps Database Updates

    *January 11, 2021 – 800+ maps uploaded.

    Elections Daily
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Twitch
    • Congressional Vote Tracker
    • The Election Shuffler
    • The Poll Adjuster
    • Maps Database
    • Redistricting Radar
    © 2023 Decision Desk HQ News

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.