Editorials

The Cabinet Reshuffle Explained

12 June 2017

By Lauren E. White

As a part of political tradition, whenever a new prime minister is elected, there’s a cabinet reshuffle. It basically means that the top government jobs – from secretary of state for health to education to work and pensions – are given to different people depending on what the new/re-elected prime minister thinks is best.

This cabinet reshuffle was more of a shift, though, as Theresa May is walking on eggshells following the snap election results. She lost her parliamentary majority, meaning that she’s in a lot of trouble with her MPs and if she was to reshuffle the cabinet so that key players, like Chancellor Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, were no longer members, she would probably face a revolt within the party and would lose her place as leader.

So, what has Theresa May done in this reshuffle?

1. The return of Michael Gove

Michael Gove has been out of the cabinet for just under year after Theresa May shuffled him out following winning the Conservative leadership last year.

He is probably the education system’s most-hated man following his stint under David Cameron’s leadership as education secretary. Gove was then appointed as justice secretary.

Now, he is environment secretary. This has caused some people to be a little bit sceptical about this appointment, giving he said that Britain was “tired of experts” during the EU referendum campaign.

2. Elizabeth Truss was demoted

Theresa May made the decision to demote Liz Truss from Justice Secretary to Chief Secretary of the Treasury. It’s a demotion because she isn’t in charge of a government department anymore, but it’s still a senior role in government.

Ms Truss has been replaced by David Lidington.

3. Damian Green has been given a promotion

A close ally of Mrs May’s is Damian Green and he has been appointed as First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office. This effectively means that he is the deputy PM, which is seen as a reward for his loyalty to her.

Mr Green is well-liked by MPs and is thought to have an influence on keeping the cabinet in line and ensuring they support Mrs May during this turbulent political time.

4. Most people remained in the same posts

On the whole, the cabinet looks the same.

Jeremy Hunt is Health Secretary, Philip Hammond is Chancellor, Justine Greening is Education Secretary, Boris Johnson is Foreign Secretary, Chris Grayling is Transport Secretary and so on.

It all gives the impression of ‘there’s nothing going on here, never mind’, when there’s really a huge crack in the ship that Theresa May is trying to cover up.

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