Boris Johnson unveils new Government after brutal Cabinet cull
Boris Johnson has formed his new Government after a brutal cull of ministers which saw a host of top Tories ousted from their posts.
Sajid Javid was given the job of Chancellor while Priti Patel was confirmed as Home Secretary, taking Mr Javid’s vacated chair.
Dominic Raab is the new Foreign Secretary, taking the last of the three most prestigious Cabinet positions.
Michael Gove was given the job of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a position that amounts to Mr Johnson’s deputy.
Stephen Barclay kept his job as Brexit Secretary while Grant Shapps was appointed Transport Secretary.
All of the Prime Minister’s choices for the top Cabinet jobs are Brexiteers.
Mr Raab and Ms Patel are supporters of no deal while Michael Gove led the Vote Leave campaign alongside Mr Johnson.
The major overhaul, which began shortly after Mr Johnson officially became Prime Minister, saw more than half of Theresa May’s Cabinet replaced in one of the most brutal clear-outs in decades.
Amber Rudd remained as Work and Pensions Secretary, Andrea Leadsom was made Business, Energy and Industrial strategy secretary and Nicky Morgan was handed the role of digital, culture, media and sport secretary.
Gavin Williamson became Education Secretary, Matt Hancock remained Health Secretary and Theresa Villiers was appointed Environment Secretary.
Jeremy Hunt, Mr Johnson’s rival in the leadership contest, confirmed he was quitting after not being offered the role of Foreign Secretary.
1/4 I would have been honoured to carry on my work at the FCO but understand the need for a new PM to choose his team. BJ kindly offered me another role but after 9 yrs in Cabinet & over 300 cab mtgs now is the time to return 2 backbenches from where PM will have my full support
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 24, 2019
The full Cabinet so far is as follows:
Chancellor of the Exchequer - Sajid Javid
Home Secretary - Priti Patel
Foreign Secretary - Dominic Raab
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - Michael Gove
Brexit Secretary - Steve Barclay
Work and Pensions Secretary - Amber Rudd
International Trade Secretary - Liz Truss
Defence Secretary - Ben Wallace
Transport Secretary - Grant Shapps
Education Secretary - Gavin Williamson
Attorney General - Geoffrey Cox
Justice Secretary - Robert Buckland
Health Secretary - Matt Hancock
Environment Secretary - Theresa Villiers
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary - Nicky Morgan
Housing, communities and local government secretary - Robert Jenrick
Business, energy and industrial strategy secretary - Andrea Leadsom
International Development Secretary - Alok Sharma
Welsh Secretary - Alun Cairns
Northern Ireland Secretary - Julian Smith
Scottish Secretary - Alister Jack
The new PM’s reshuffle turned out to be more savage and extensive than predicted with a number of surprise departures - including some staunch Brexiteers thought to be safe.
The departures were:
SACKED: Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary
SACKED: Penny Mordaunt, Defence Secretary
SACKED: Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary
SACKED: Greg Clark, Business Secretary
SACKED: Damian Hinds, Education Secretary
SACKED: James Brokenshire, Housing Secretary
SACKED: Karen Bradley, Northern Ireland Secretary
SACKED: Caroline Nokes, Immigration Minister
SACKED: David Mundell, Scotland Secretary
SACKED: Jeremy Wright, Culture Secretary
SACKED: Mel Stride, Commons Leader
RESIGNED: Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary
RESIGNED: Philip Hammond, Chancellor
RESIGNED: Rory Stewart, International Development Secretary
RESIGNED: David Gauke, Justice Secretary
RESIGNED: David Lidington, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Ms Mourdant, who was tipped to keep her position, tweeted: “I’m heading to the backbenches from where the PM will have my full support, as will my successors at @DefenceHQ & @WomenEqualities.”
Eurosceptic Mr Fox made it clear he was pushed out of the door against his will, saying: “Sadly, I will be leaving the Government. It has been a privilege to have served as Secretary of State for International Trade these past 3 years.”
Mr Clark, who has spoken out against no deal and was rumoured to be on the verge of quitting earlier, said: “I warmly congratulate Boris Johnson on becoming Prime Minister. He is right to appoint a new team for a new premiership and I wish him and them well for the vital work ahead.”
The sackings came after four cabinet ministers resigned from the Government today ahead of Johnson’s reshuffle.
Chancellor Philip Hammond, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, Justice Secretary David Gauke and de facto Deputy Prime Minister David Lidington all handed in their notice after May’s final Prime Minister’s Questions.
Hammond, Stewart and Gauke had already said publicly they could not serve under a Prime Minister who supports a no-deal Brexit.
The resignations were largely symbolic. Mr Johnson would have sacked the three ministers and replaced them with his own supporters anyway.
All will continue to work as MPs and are likely to cause trouble for the new Prime Minister from the backbenches.
I have just handed in my resignation to @theresa_may. It has been a privilege to serve as her Chancellor of the Exchequer for the last three years. pic.twitter.com/pcCkvKhQxj
— Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) July 24, 2019
Mr Hammond led the exodus and said it had been a “privilege” to serve as Chancellor under Theresa May.
Confirming his resignation on Twitter, former leadership candidate Rory Stewart posted an image of Sky News reporting his departure with an upside down smiley emoji.
— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) July 24, 2019
Mr Gauke thanked Theresa May and reiterated his opposition to no deal.
He said: “Given Boris’s stated policy of leaving the EU by 31 October at all costs, I am not willing to serve in his Government.
“I believe I can most effectively make the case against a no deal Brexit from the backbenches.”
Just to confirm that immediately after PMQs, I resigned as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am very grateful to @theresa_may for giving me the opportunity to serve in her Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/S0GDqgiFLv
— David Gauke (@DavidGauke) July 24, 2019
Two ministers, Sir Alan Duncan and Anne Milton, resigned earlier in the week, citing concerns over leaving the UK without a deal.