Boris Johnson’s new cabinet team meets for the first time after major sackings and appointments.
The reshuffled cabinet showed a new team that displays Boris Johnson’s closest and most loyal followers.
Chancellor Sajid Javid has been replaced by Rishi Sunak, former chief secretary to the Treasury. Behind closed doors, Javid was reportedly told by prime minster that “he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with No 10 special advisers to make it one team”.
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Javid’s departure has made him the first Chancellor to resign since Nigel Lawson in 1989. One Whitehall source said: “We would have loved Sajid to stay but we need a Government of team players.” Downing Street said there would now be a joint team of economic advisers for both the chancellor and prime minister.
As keys to Number 11 are handed to Rishi Sunak, so is a lot of work as the Budget announcement is only weeks away. A Downing Street spokesman was not able to confirm whether or not the Budget was still scheduled for 11 March.
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Rishi Sunak Picture: Rishi Sunak has only been an MP since 2015
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The reshuffle is about setting the foundations for Government now and in the future.”
The timing of the reshuffle comes only two months after the UK saw the formation of a new government.
Business Secretary, and previous leadership rival Andrea Leadsom has been left without a government role. Housing Minister Esther Mcvey, who also contended for the leadership role, departed from the government.
Julian Smith has been sacked as Northern Ireland Secretary, only weeks after orchestrating the deal that restored the power-sharing administration in Stormont.
Remaining cabinet members are as follows:
Home Secretary: Priti Patel
Foreign Secretary: Dominic Raab
Cabinet Office Minister: Michael Gove
Health Secretary: Matt Hancock
International Trade: Secretary Liz Truss
Transport Secretary: Grant Shapp
Defence Secretary: Ben Wallace
Leader of the House: Jacob Rees-Mogg
Chief Whip: Mark Spencer
Listen to Alexandra Iftimie’s radio package on the cabinet reshuffling below.