First cabinet reshuffle undertaken by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson Boris Johnson carried out the first significantreshuffle of hismajority government on 13 February 2020. Following theDecember 2019 general election , there was considerable speculation that Johnson was planning a major reshuffle of theCabinet , to take place after the United Kingdom's officialwithdrawal from theEuropean Union on 31 January 2020. There were reports that up to a third of the Cabinet would be dismissed, Whitehall departments abolished and civil servants replaced by policy experts; however, the reshuffle was smaller than expected and no departments were abolished.[ 1] St Valentine's Day , the name being a reference to the1929 gangland shooting inChicago .[ 2] [ 3]
Johnson formed hisfirst ministry on 24 July 2019, following hiselection asLeader of the Conservative Party and subsequent appointment asPrime Minister of the United Kingdom .[ 4] resignations of two Cabinet ministers (Jo Johnson andAmber Rudd ).[ 5] [ 6] Alun Cairns ' resignation in the previous month.[ 7]
On 13 February 2020, Johnson reshuffled the government. Five Cabinet ministers were sacked, including theNorthern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith , a decision that was criticised by several politicians and commentators following Smith's success in restoring the devolvedNorthern Ireland Executive under the terms of theNew Decade, New Approach agreement.[ 8] Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid resigned from the Cabinet after refusing Johnson's demand that he dismiss his advisers.[ 9]
This was the last major cabinet reshuffle before the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and was followed by two more reshuffles in2021 and2022 .
Cabinet-level changes [ edit ] Colour key Joined the Cabinet Left the Cabinet
Minister Position before reshuffle Result of reshuffle Rt HonThe Baroness Morgan of Cotes PC Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Left the government (intention to stand down announced in January 2020) Rt HonOliver Dowden CBE MP Minister for the Cabinet Office Paymaster General BecameSecretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Rt HonMichael Gove MP Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Given additional role asMinister for the Cabinet Office Rt HonJulian Smith CBE MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Left the government Rt HonBrandon Lewis CBE MP Minister of State for Security and Deputy for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation BecameSecretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt HonEsther McVey MP Minister of State for Housing and Planning Left the government Rt HonAndrea Leadsom MP Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Left the government Rt HonAlok Sharma MP Secretary of State for International Development BecameSecretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Anne-Marie Trevelyan MPMinister of State for the Armed Forces BecameSecretary of State for International Development Rt HonGeoffrey Cox QC MP Attorney General for England and Wales Advocate General for Northern Ireland Left the government Suella Braverman MPBackbench MP BecameAttorney General for England and Wales andAdvocate General for Northern Ireland Rt HonTheresa Villiers MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Left the government George Eustice MPMinister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food BecameSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt HonSajid Javid MP Chancellor of the Exchequer Resigned after refusing to dismiss his advisersRt HonRishi Sunak MP Chief Secretary to the Treasury BecameChancellor of the Exchequer Rt HonSteve Barclay MP Backbench MP, previouslySecretary of State for Exiting the European Union until January 31, 2020 BecameChief Secretary to the Treasury Rt HonJames Cleverly TD VR MP Minister without Portfolio Chairman of the Conservative Party )[ note 1] Left the Cabinet; becameMinister of State for the Middle East & North Africa and International Development Amanda Milling MPDeputy Chief Government WhipTreasurer of the Household
BecameMinister without Portfolio (andChairman of the Conservative Party )[ note 1] Rt HonJake Berry MP Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse Resigned after refusing a new position at theForeign and Commonwealth Office [ 10]
Junior ministerial changes [ edit ] Minister Position before reshuffle Result of reshuffle Rt HonChris Skidmore FRHistS FSA FRSA MP Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Left the government Michelle Donelan MPBackbencher BecameMinister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman MPMinister of State for Transport Left the government Andrew Stephenson MPMinister of State for Africa and International Development BecameMinister of State for Transport Nigel Adams MPMinister of State for Sport, Media & Creative Industries BecameMinister of State for Africa and International Development Caroline Dinenage MPMinister of State for Social Care BecameMinister of State for Sport, Media & Creative Industries Helen Whately MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Arts, Heritage and Tourism BecameMinister of State for Social Care Nigel Huddleston MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Arts, Heritage and Tourism Rt HonJohn Whittingdale OBE MP Backbencher BecameMinister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nus Ghani MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Left the government Kelly Tolhurst MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Paul Scully MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy andMinister for London Chris Philp MPMinister for London BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary for Home Affairs James Heappey MPBackbencher BecameMinister of State for the Armed Forces Rt Hon DrAndrew Murrison MP Minister of State for International Development and the Middle East Left the government Rt HonPenny Mordaunt MP Backbencher BecamePaymaster General Rt HonChristopher Pincher MP Minister of State for Europe and the Americas BecameMinister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Rt HonJames Brokenshire MP Backbencher BecameMinister of State for Security Jeremy Quin MPParliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office BecameMinister for Defence Procurement Julia Lopez MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Chloe Smith MPParliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office BecameMinister of State for the Cabinet Office Robin Walker MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland BecameMinister of State for Northern Ireland Heather Wheeler MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Left the government Wendy Morton MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and International Development asMinister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas James Duddridge MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and International Development Alex Chalk MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Victoria Prentis MPParliamentary Private Secretary to theLeader of the House of Commons BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Amanda Solloway MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation Paul Maynard MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Left the government Rachel Maclean MPParliamentary Private Secretary to theChancellor of the Exchequer BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Gillian Keegan MPParliamentary Private Secretary to theSecretary of State for Health and Social Care BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education Simon Clarke MPExchequer Secretary to the Treasury BecameMinister of State for the Northern Powerhouse Kemi Badenoch MPParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families BecameExchequer Secretary to the Treasury andParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade Vicky Ford MPBackbencher BecameParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families Kit Malthouse MPMinister of State for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service Given additional position asMinister of State for Justice The Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Minister of State for the Environment Given additional position asMinister of State for Pacific The Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the School System BecameMinister of State for Efficiency and Transformation [ 11] The Lord True Backbench Peer BecameMinister of State for European Union Relations and Constitutional Policy
[ edit ] Dismissal of Julian Smith [ edit ] Smith (left) andJohnson (right) visit Northern Ireland in July 2019The decision to dismissJulian Smith asSecretary of State for Northern Ireland was criticised by a number of prominent political figures inNorthern Ireland , including SDLP leaderColum Eastwood who described the move as showing "dangerous indifference" by thePrime Minister .[ 12] Northern Ireland Executive , theNew Decade, New Approach agreement, after three years without a devolved government inStormont .[ 13] [ 8] NI First Minister Arlene Foster andTaoiseach Leo Varadkar . Both praised him for his role in ending the political deadlock in the country.[ 14] [ 15]
Many political commentators expressed their surprise at Smith's dismissal, given his perceived success during his time as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Some suggested that Smith's testimony to theNorthern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in October 2019, in which he described a potentialno-deal Brexit as being "a very, very bad idea for Northern Ireland",[ 16] [ 17] Stephen Bush , political editor of theNew Statesman New Protocol ".[ 18]
Resignation of Sajid Javid [ edit ] Javid withGladstone, Chief Mouser toHM Treasury Tensions between10 Downing Street and the Treasury had come to a head in August 2019, when the Prime Minister's Chief Special AdviserDominic Cummings dismissed one ofChancellor Sajid Javid 's aides, Sonia Khan, without Javid's permission and without informing him. It was alleged that, during her dismissal, Cummings "went outside No 10 and asked an armed officer to enter the building and escort Khan off the premises."[ 19] 2019 general election .[ 20]
However, in the weeks leading up to the reshuffle, a number of briefings in the press had suggested that a new economic ministry led byRishi Sunak might be established, to reduce the power and political influence of theTreasury . Sunak was considered to be a Johnson loyalist, seen as the "rising star" minister who had ably represented the Prime Minister during the 2019 election debates.[ 21] [ 22] Chief Secretary to the Treasury , in order to "keep an eye" on Javid.[ 23]
On 13 February 2020, the day of the reshuffle, Javid resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer, following a meeting with the Prime Minister. During the meeting, Johnson had offered to allow Javid to keep his position on the condition that he dismiss all his advisers at the Treasury and replace them with ones selected by 10 Downing Street.[ 9] Press Association that "no self-respecting minister would accept those terms".[ 24] [ 25]
The Chancellor's resignation had been unexpected, given Johnson's commitment to keep him in the Cabinet and recent reports that a rival finance ministry would not be created. Robert Shrimsley, chief political commentator of theFinancial Times ,[ 26]
^a b Non-ministerial position ^ According to the ministerialpay scale : ^ Shipman, Tim (15 December 2019)."Now for the Boris Johnson revolution — PM to wield axe in radical cabinet reshuffle" .The Times ^ Balls, Katy (13 January 2020)."The strategy behind Boris Johnson's incoming government shake-up" .The Spectator . Archived fromthe original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved13 February 2020 . ^ Tominey, Camilla (5 February 2020)."Will Boris Johnson's post-Brexit reshuffle be a Valentine's Day massacre?" .Daily Telegraph . ^ "Boris Johnson becomes UK's new prime minister" .BBC News . 24 July 2019.^ Havergal, Chris (10 September 2019)."Chris Skidmore returns as universities minister in UK government" .Times Higher Education . ^ "Therese Coffey replaces Amber Rudd in cabinet after dramatic resignation" .ITV News . 8 September 2019.^ "Simon Hart appointed new Welsh secretary" .BBC News . 16 December 2019.^a b Walker, Peter (13 February 2020)."Smith, Leadsom and McVey out as Johnson reshuffles cabinet" .The Guardian . ^a b "Cabinet reshuffle: Sajid Javid resigns as chancellor" .BBC News . 13 February 2020.^ Schofield, Kevin (25 February 2020)."Boris Johnson ally quits government after turning down Foreign Office job" .Politics Home . Retrieved26 May 2022 . ^ Jointly withHM Treasury ^ "Julian Smith sacked as NI Secretary by Boris Johnson" .BBC News . 13 February 2020.^ Elliott, Francis; Swinford, Steven (13 February 2020)."Boris Johnson fires Julian Smith, minister who secured Stormont deal" .The Times ^ Edwards, Mark (13 February 2020)."Julian Smith sacked from Northern Ireland post in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle" .Belfast Telegraph . ^ @LeoVaradkar (13 February 2020)."In 8 months as Secretary of State, Julian you helped to restore powersharing in Stormont, secured an agreement with us to avoid a hard border, plus marriage equality. You are one of Britain's finest politicians of our time. Thank you" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter .^ Mairs, Nicholas (23 October 2019)."Julian Smith breaks ranks with Boris Johnson to brand no-deal Brexit 'very bad' for Northern Ireland" .PoliticsHome . ^ Forrest, Adam (13 February 2020)."Boris Johnson news – live: PM axes Tory minister who helped secure Stormont deal, as fresh questions raised over £15,000 Caribbean holiday" The Independent .Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. ^ Bush, Stephen (13 February 2020)."Boris Johnson has already made the most important sacking of today's reshuffle" .New Statesman . ^ Helm, Toby; Townsend, Mark (1 September 2019)."PM 'must launch urgent inquiry into Dominic Cummings's reign of terror' .The Guardian . ^ Parker, George; Payne, Sebastian (18 November 2019)."Boris Johnson vows to retain Sajid Javid as chancellor" .Financial Times . ^ Parker, George (25 December 2019)."Johnson's 'favourite minister' tipped to run super-ministry" .Financial Times . ^ Balls, Katy (13 February 2020)."Is Sajid Javid at war with No. 10?" .The Spectator . Archived fromthe original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved13 February 2020 . ^ Mason, Rowena (5 February 2020)."Ministers jostle as Johnson plans long-awaited reshuffle" .The Guardian . ^ Mason, Rowena (13 February 2020)."Sajid Javid resigns as chancellor amid Johnson reshuffle" .The Guardian . ^ "Sajid Javid quits as British Chancellor" .RTÉ . 13 February 2020.^ Shrimsley, Robert (13 February 2020)."Johnson has backed Cummings over his chancellor — and there will be a cost" .Financial Times .
.jpg)
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
