CABINET RESHUFFLE 2014 OVERVIEW For a man who’s said not to like reshuffles, the Prime Minister made
Liam Fox have so far discovered that perpetually briefing his return does
up for lost time today, culling 13 senior Ministers to create his dream
not make it so.
team. For if not now, when? With 295 days to the General Election, the
Elsewhere Matthew Hancock’s rise continues with the patronage of the
PM can do exactly as he pleases. There’s no chance of a leadership
Chancellor while Michael Fallon’s skilful and assertive handling of two
challenge this side of May 7. If he wins the election, he will be praised
ministerial briefs (and Portsmouth) lands him Defence. A notable loser
for introducing new blood to his front bench ready to make their case to the electorate. If he doesn’t, he’ll be gone anyway.
is Michael Gove, the new Chief Whip, whose talent and eloquence has
Cameron pledged that one-third of his Ministers would be women by the
wield vast power, Gove has lost out to Philip Hammond on the Foreign
end of his first term as Prime Minister and - as I write - he’s on track to
Office brief he craved. Hammond’s Eurosceptic credentials and tough
deliver. Yes, it did jar that, after Maria Miller was sacked, no mother was
negotiating style will complement the more charming Lord Hill of Oareford,
serving in the cabinet – and now there are two. But to dismiss the talents
the UK’s nomination to be EU Commissioner. With Lord Hill’s appointment,
of Nicky Morgan, Elizabeth Truss, Esther McVey and Amber Rudd as the
Cameron puts an old friend from CRD at the heart of Europe – and avoids
right chromosomes at the right time would be the real sexism. What unites
a by-election.
not stopped him from being Marmite to many voters. While he will still
them is intellect, huge self-belief and their strength as media performers.
What this means: With so little parliamentary time left ahead of the next
There is also a generational shift. Many of those leaving Government had
general election, the Government’s focus will remain largely unchanged.
supported David Davis in the 2005 leadership election, perhaps because
However, none of the people appointed today are the kind who will wish to
they feared this day would come. But others, like Robathan and Hurd,
tread water for 10 months and simply be telegenic. They will want to own
owe their Ministerial longevity in part to the fact that they were early
their briefs, get out of their departments and associate themselves with
DC supporters. That debt has now been repaid. It is refreshing to see
successes. Their learnings will feed into the Conservative manifesto and
William Hague and Greg Barker - and there will be others - also indicating
shape policy far beyond May of next year.
they will leave Parliament. They have served their country and now they will begin new chapters in their lives and careers rather than clinging to
SARAH RICHARDSON, DIRECTOR
their Commons passes like coveted club memberships. Supporters of
QUICK FACTS
8
June 2007 eight women in Cabinet
6
7
July 2014 six women in Cabinet
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KEY APPOINTMENTS & DEPARTURES Elizabeth Truss
becomes Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Philip Hammond promoted to become Foreign Secretary
Lord Hill
nominated to be the UK’s next European Commissioner Michael Fallon: becomes Secretary of State for Defence Stephen Crabb: becomes Secretary of State for Wales Nick Boles: becomes Skills Minister Michael Gove: becomes Chief Whip
Nicky Morgan
becomes Secretary of State for Education
William Hague
steps down as Foreign Secretary, becomes Leader of the House of Commons
Matt Hancock
becomes Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy at BIS and Minister of State for Energy at DECC Esther McVey: remains Minister of State for Employment but promoted to attend Cabinet Ken Clarke: steps down as Minister without Portfolio and returns to the backbenches
Greg Barker: stands down as Climate Change Minister
Owen Paterson: dismissed as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
David Willetts: stands down as Universities & Science Minister
Andrew Lansley: stands down as Leader of the House of Commons
Seven Labour Cabinet reshuffles 2005 – 2010 Five Coalition Cabinet reshuffles 2010 – 2014
7
2010 Cabinet Ministers still in post
TWITTER REACTIONS Nick Robinson, Political Editor, BBC News “Now for reshuffle winners. Team Cameron calls them ‘refreshing, representative and election winning’ - code for ‘good on telly & not posh’”
Sarah Vine, Daily Mail columnist “I suppose once you’ve been around the world with Angelina Jolie you might as well retire”
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary “This is a cross between a PR exercise and a gross admission that the people Cameron had in place were wholly inadequate to do the job.”
James Forsyth, Editor, Spectator’s Coffee House blog “Cameroons talking of iron triangle at the centre of Cameron, Osborne and Gove. Notting Hill Tories back together for the general election”
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