In the first major cabinet reshuffle since winning a landslide election victory back in December last year, Boris Johnson’s government is one of the youngest in history. The PM has also kept a strong representation of ‘leave’ campaigners at the table.
In the first major cabinet reshuffle since winning a landslide election victory back in December last year, Boris Johnson’s government is one of the youngest in history. The PM has also kept a strong representation of ‘leave’ campaigners at the table.
However, there was a lot of speculation ahead of the reshuffle about how diverse the new cabinet would be, with concerns about BAME and women in particular being chosen for the high-profile positions.
So, who is in what job and what are they bringing to the table? Here at The Badger, we have got you covered.
Rishi Sunak- Chancellor of the Exchequer
Originally from Southampton, Rishi Sunak was appointed following the resignation of Sajid Javid during a cabinet reshuffle in 2020. Sunak previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Javid from July 2019 to February 2020, and has been the MP for Richmond since the 2015 general election. After graduating from both Oxford university and Stanford University, he started working at the investment bank Goldman Sachs. He is probably better known now for representing the Conservatives in both the BBC and ITV seven-way way election debate.
When looking at his previous voting record, his key votes include voting against investigations into the Iraq war, he has consistently voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax and has never voted on equal LGBTQ+ rights; specifically allowing marriage between two people of the same sex as he voted against both.
Sunak was promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer on 13 February 2020 as part of a cabinet reshuffle, after the resignation of his predecessor Sajid Javid on the same day. Javid had resigned after being asked by Prime Minister Johnson to dismiss his parliamentary aides.
His new budget will take place on 11 March 2020, the date that it was due to be delivered by his predecessor.
Oliver Dowden- Culture secretary
The 41-year old MP for Hertsmere is a rising star in the Conservative ranks and replaces Nicky Morgan as Culture Secretary. Since last summer, he has been a minister in the Cabinet Office – playing a key role working with No 10 in implementing government policy. Before becoming an MP, the Cambridge-educated law graduate worked in public relations and cut his teeth in the Conservative Research Department.
He then worked as an adviser to David Cameron, becoming his deputy chief of staff in Downing Street. He subsequently received a CBE for his services. His voting record shows that he has voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients, he has voted for fewer MPs in the commons and against a wholly elected House of Lords.
Suella Braverman- attorney general
As the new appointed Attorney General, the Fareham MP has been a Member of Parliament since 2015 and was a prominent leave campaigner before the Brexit referendum, 55% of votes in her constituency were for leaving. She was Chair of the European Research Group, a pro-Leave group of Conservative MPs, until her promotion to ministerial office; when she was replaced as chair by Jacob Rees-Mogg. Following the 2017 general election, Braverman was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the ministers of the Treasury. Again, her voting record is very similar to Rishi Sunaks, they differ slightly as she has consistently voted for LGBTQ+ rights and equal marriage, but voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits and higher taxes on alcoholic drinks.
George Eustice- Environment minister
Eustice has been the MP for Camborne and Redruth since 2010 following a career in PR. Under David Cameron, he was appointed the Parliamentary under-secretary of state for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He has been criticised in the past for signing a letter calling for tougher regulation of the press on the grounds that he had previously been the subject of negative media coverage. On 13 February 2020, Eustice was appointed as the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs replacing Theresa Villiers. His appointment was viewed as a disappointment to environmental campaigners due to his record on climate change votes. Eustice called the post his “dream job”.
On 3 May 2016, he voted not to reduce the permitted carbon dioxide emission rate of new homes, and against setting a decarbonisation target for the UK within six months of June 2016. However, he voted to reform the energy market with regard to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, securing supply, affordability for consumers and increasing generation from renewable sources.
