Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet on 15 September and made some major changes. Rumours swirled round Whitehall during the preceding few weeks which “paralysed” the place. Few officials proceeded with their briefings as the minister could have been replaced at any point.

Johnson unveiled his new cabinet after Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

Summary

Gavin Williamson was sacked as Education Secretary. He was replaced by former Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi. Williamson made several catastrophic mistakes during Covid. He performed U turns over free school meals and A level and GCSE exam results. He then could not make his mind up on sending primary schoolchildren back to school.

Liz Truss replaced Dominic Raab as Foreign Secretary. His role was untenable after he failed to return from holiday in August to host talks with the Afghan government as the Taliban took control of the country. There had been calls for his resignation then, which Johnson ignored. Raab was also criticised for micromanaging. He blamed this on his time acting as Prime Minister when Johnson was in Intensive Care fighting Covid.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Priti Patel have kept their jobs. Patel was at risk but Sunak has shown himself to be the most popular cabinet minister.

Michael Gove left his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and replaced Robert Jenrick as Housing Secretary. Jenrick went down in the public’s regard when it was revealed that he had intervened for friends trying to get planning permission. An abuse of power.

Treasury minister Steve Barclay replaced Michael Gove as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Oliver Dowden moved from Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and was given the role of Minister Without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office, as well as becoming Conservative Party co-chair, replacing Amanda Milling.

Nadine Dorries has taken over the role of Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, her first role in Cabinet.

 

 

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