It’s been a dramatic day in Westminster with Boris Johnson laying the groundwork for the next general election with a ruthless cabinet reshuffle, designed to clear out failing ministers and hand Michael Gove the key job of making “levelling up” a reality for sceptical voters. The Guardian’s political editor Heather Stewart reports.
Johnson sacked three cabinet ministers - the blunderous, and at times disastrous, education secretary Gavin Williamson, the justice secretary Robert Buckland, and the housing secretary Robert Jenrick. Rather than being offered an alternative role, Williamson was relegated straight back to the backbenches. Liz Truss, popular with the Tory grassroots, was promoted to foreign secretary - the first female Conservative to hold the role - while Dominic Raab was shifted to the justice brief, widely seen as punishment for his role in the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan last month, and wrestled the title of deputy PM. Michael Gove was promoted to secretary of state for housing, communities and local government with responsibility for enacting Johnson’s “levelling-up” agenda across government. He will also be responsible for diffusing the row over planning reforms in Tory heartlands, protecting the union and fighting elections. The chancellor Rishi Sunak, the home secretary Priti Patel, the leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg, all remain in post. Also staying are Ben Wallace in defence, Saijd Javid in health, Kwasi Kwarteng in business, George Eustice at Defra, Grant Shapps in transport, Thérèse Coffey at DWP, Brandon Lewis in Northern Ireland, Alister Jack in Scotland, and Simon Hart in Wales. Natalie Evans remains leader of the Lords. Nadine Dorries was a surprise appointment to the role of culture secretary, given her often robust “anti-woke” agenda and her affinity to the culture wars. Nadhim Zahawi, considered a safe pair of hands, moved to the role of education secretary. Lord Frost remains as the Cabinet Office minister responsible for Brexit, and Kit Malthouse stays on as policing minister though now attends Cabinet. Greg Hands is now business minister, while Kemi Badenoch remains minister for equalities but also housing minister and foreign minister. Oliver Dowden became party co-chair, replacing Amanda Milling. Steve Barclay moves to role of Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, while Simon Clarke is now chief secretary of the Treasury. Alok Sharma remains as COP26 president. And here is Heather’s full explainer on who’s up and who’s down: