Live updates from Downing Street as the prime minister reshuffles his cabinet.
Michael Gove is moved from education and William Hague quits as foreign secretary, in the final Conservative reshuffle ahead of next year’s general election. The main points –
– William Hague quits as foreign secretary and is replaced by former defence secretary Philip Hammond
– Nicky Morgan replaces Michael Gove as education secretary
– Michael Gove becomes Commons chief whip
– Michael Fallon becomes the defence secretary
– Liz Truss is secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs
– Esther McVey remains minister for employment and disabilities
– Greg Clark becomes minister of state for universities
– Lord Hill is the prime minister’s nomination for European commissioner
– Stephen Crabb is appointed secretary of state for Wales
– Baroness Tina Stowell is the new leader of the House of Lords
– Jeremy Wright is the new attorney general
– Matt Hancock is the new minister of state for business, enterprise and energy
– Mark Harper returns as minister of state at the department for work and pensions
– Mike Penning is the new minister of state at the home office and ministry of justice
– Nick Boles is minister of state for the business and education departments
– David Gauke is promoted to financial secretary to the Treasury
– John Hayes is appointed as minister of state for transport
– Anna Soubry is promoted to minister of state at the ministry of defence
– Priti Patel becomes exchequer secretary at the Treasury
– Ed Vaizey becomes minister responsible for digital industries
– Brooks Newmark is minister for civil society at at Cabinet Office
Is this Lynton Crosby’s first major reshuffle? http://t.co/EapRkcAFy2 #c4news
— Gary Gibbon's Blog (@GaryGibbonBlog) July 15, 2014
Cabinet reshuffle: William Hague quits http://t.co/rsmTO9uefO #c4news
— Gary Gibbon's Blog (@GaryGibbonBlog) July 15, 2014
Cabinet reshuffle: Gove clipped, women in http://t.co/ArEQUxdb0A #c4news
— Gary Gibbon's Blog (@GaryGibbonBlog) July 15, 2014
Channel 4 News Political Editor Gary Gibbon blogs that a friend of William Hague says the outgoing foreign secretary had “lost his appetite for top-level British politics”. Mr Hague is up for another big international job if it comes along – but not one at the European Commission.
https://twitter.com/PeterMannionMP/status/488996769943261184/
Freedom Association complain reshuffle is distracting public and MPs away from rushing of emergency Data Retention Bill thru Commons today
— Michael Crick (@MichaelLCrick) July 15, 2014
George Osborne has been quite fixated by the chief whip role and how it can be important in shaping a post 2015 leadership contest. Mr Gove is his most ardent and committed supporter. But this is grim reward for an ally and a bit baffling as an appointment.
This #reshuffle is about putting in place a team that continues to deliver the long term economic plan & ensures a brighter future for all.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 15, 2014
1/2 I'd like to pay an enormous tribute to @WilliamJHague who is standing down as an MP at the next election.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 14, 2014
Ken Clarke has been a political Titan for more than a generation. His wise and trenchant views will be missed around the Cabinet table.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 15, 2014
Cameron could have stepped in to sort out Iain Duncan Smith's #DWPchaos, but he’s patted him on the back & told him to carry on #reshuffle
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) July 15, 2014
So we now have a Minister for Equalities who voted against #EqualMarriage – truly dreadful
— Liz Kendall (@leicesterliz) July 15, 2014
Ken Clarke is a huge loss to Cabinet he is one of the most principled, measured and inspiring politicians I had the privilege to work with
— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) July 15, 2014
Good day for those well-known women Jeremy Wright, Michael Fallon, Stephen Crabb, Matt Hancock, Lord Hill and Nick Boles #reshuffle
— Gaby Hinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) July 15, 2014