UK Cabinet Reshuffle Underway: Pieces of New Tory Leadership Puzzle Come Together

© REUTERS / TOBY MELVILLE / Britain's PM Johnson walks outside Downing Street in LondonBritain's PM Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London
Britain's PM Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.09.2021
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The Conservative Party Conference is due next month and the Cabinet reshuffle came in time for delivering a renewed image of the Tory party leadership.

Education Secretary

The first Cabinet minister to leave his position in the Cabinet reshuffle of Boris Johnson's government was the UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.
"It has been a privilege to serve as Education Secretary since 2019. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I’m particularly proud of the transformational reforms I’ve led in Post 16 education: in further education colleges, our Skills agenda, apprenticeships and more," Willamson wrote on Wednesday afternoon.
“This programme will create better life opportunities for pupils and students for many years to come. I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minster and the government,” the outgoing Education Secretary has added.
© AP Photo / Stefan RousseauEducation Secretary Gavin Williamson
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.09.2021
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson
Williamson, who has had a long-standing battled relationship with the media due to his handling and commentary of various politically sensitive matters, has been reported to leave the UK government all together, after haven't been offered a new role.

"Williamson has gone from one disaster to another, never learning from his mistakes. The most recent was telling University Vice Chancellors to go back to normal for teaching (he said this via video link)," Alistair Jones, an associate professor of politics at De Montfort University in the UK, said.

Williamson will be replaced by Nadhim Zahawi as Education Secretary.
Nadhim Zahawi, the Vaccines Minister, was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 26 July 2019. One of the role's responsibilities has been handling of the Vaccine Taskforce (VTF).

Justice Secretary

Another departure from the Cabinet announced on Wednesday was that of Robert Buckland, who has been removed as Justice Secretary.
He worked on the reform of the Judicial Review. He has been seen as a solid performer of the Tory government and one of the most Remain ministers of the Cabinet.
Buckland also took to Twitter to comment on his departure:

It has been an honour to serve in Government for the last 7 years, and as the Lord Chancellor for the last 2. I am deeply proud of everything I have achieved. On to the next adventure.

Buckland’s position has been tenuous since he advised the government that the Internal Market (U.K.) bill was fine even though it breached international law, said Professor Jones.
He added that Buckland put party ahead of the legal system, as the PM wanted, and is now being cast aside.

Foreign Minister

Elizabeth Truss took over the Foreign Secretary position from Dominic Raab.
Truss has held the position of the UK Secretary of State for International Trade since July 2019. She will also keep her role as Minister for Women and Equalities.
© REUTERS / HENRY NICHOLLSBritain's Secretary of State of International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss is seen outside Downing Street, in London, Britain March 17, 2020.
Britain's Secretary of State of International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss is seen outside Downing Street, in London, Britain March 17, 2020. - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.09.2021
Britain's Secretary of State of International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss is seen outside Downing Street, in London, Britain March 17, 2020.
Truss has been recently enjoying high popularity ranking with Conservative party members.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Dominic Raab will take over Buckland's role, according to a Downing Street statement. Raab, formerly the first secretary of state, will also hold the role of the deputy PM.
The job title Deputy Prime Minister could hold a great political power potential for Raab, who now ceased leading the Foreign Office Department.

Housing Secretary

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced his departure in a similar manner. He wrote on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon that will continue to support Boris Johnson in every way he can after leaving his Cabinet position.
Jenrick took some heat during the last 18 months over with the way his department, Housing, Communities and Local Government, dealt with the public money.
It has been alleged by his critics that certain reform programmes and decisions have favoured Tory donors.
"The sacking of Robert Jenrick from his Communities and Local Government post was a surprise for some. He has been a total loyalist to the PM. On the counter side, there were many allegations of corrupt practices, and his levelling up agenda for local government seemed to benefit Conservative marginal parliamentary constituencies rather than areas of deprivation," Professor Jones said.
Michal Gove will take over Jenrick's position, it has been confirmed.
Gove who was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, holding an addition role as Minister for the Cabinet Office, has also been known for his complex relationship with Johnson.
Back in 2016, Johnson's Leave campaign ally, Gove, sabotaged his leadership campaign on its launch, arguing that Johnson was not capable of uniting the party or the country.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Rishi Sunak has been confirmed to stay on as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in an expected announcement by the government.
© AFP 2023 / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVASBritain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (R) leave 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly cabinet meeting in London on October 13, 2020 held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (R) leave 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly cabinet meeting in London on October 13, 2020 held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.09.2021
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (R) leave 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly cabinet meeting in London on October 13, 2020 held at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Sunak replaced Sajid Javid in 2020 - who resigned after refusing to dismiss his advisers.

Home Secretary

Another politician to continue enjoying her job security is Priti Patel, who has been announced to keep her Home Secretary position.
© REUTERS / JEFF OVERS/BBCBritain's Home Secretary Priti Patel appears on BBC TV's The Andrew Marr Show in London, Britain May 23, 2021
Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel appears on BBC TV's The Andrew Marr Show in London, Britain May 23, 2021 - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.09.2021
Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel appears on BBC TV's The Andrew Marr Show in London, Britain May 23, 2021
Despite struggling to manage the migrant crisis on UK's doorstep, Patel will go on as Cabinet member of Johnson's government.
Westminster last saw a Cabinet reshuffle in February 2020, following the December 2019 general election, which saw the Conservatives receive a majority of 80 seats.
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