Coalition Cabinet Shuffle / Parliamentary Information Office
The Parliamentary Information Office is, with constitutional pundits generally, following closely the reaction to the Prime Minister’s first Cabinet shuffle since the General Election in 2010.
David Cameron has shuffled his cabinet, making thirteen changes in total and raising much speculation about a shift of his government to the right leaving the Lib Dems and the coalition weakened over policies such as crime, the environment, Heathrow airport and business-friendly policies.
Downing Street itself announced that the shuffle, which would be the only major change made to the Cabinet before the 2015 election, is an attempt to promote ministers capable of delivering on policies already announced.
At Prime Minister’s questions today Mr Cameron said, in response to a question by the Leader of the Opposition “Let me explain what this reshuffle is all about. It is not that there are two economic Departments in our country, the Treasury and Business; I want every single Department to be about the economy. I want the transport department building roads; I want the communities department building houses; I want the culture department rolling out broadband; and I want the agriculture department backing British food. This is a Government who mean business, and we have got the team to deliver it.”
In a symbol of the commitment to delivery, Mr Cameron has appointed LOCOG chief executive, Paul Deighton, as Treasury minister based in the Lords to deliver infrastructure.
Although No 10 said the shuffle did not mean any change in coalition policy, his appointments have caused much speculation to the contrary.
Justine Greening, a fierce opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, along with Theresa Villiers, another opponent, have been moved from Transport. Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary has been demoted following his handling of health reforms to be replaced by a surprise appointment in Jeremy Hunt. Chris Grayling’s appointment as Justice Secretary in place of Ken Clarke is seen by many as a move to the right on sentencing, legal aid and the Human Rights Act.
Only three Ministers have been moved entirely from Government … Caroline Spelman from Environment; Cheryl Gillan from the Wales Office and Sir George Young as Leader of the House.
David Cameron has shuffled his cabinet, making thirteen changes in total and raising much speculation about a shift of his government to the right leaving the Lib Dems and the coalition weakened over policies such as crime, the environment, Heathrow airport and business-friendly policies.
Downing Street itself announced that the shuffle, which would be the only major change made to the Cabinet before the 2015 election, is an attempt to promote ministers capable of delivering on policies already announced.
At Prime Minister’s questions today Mr Cameron said, in response to a question by the Leader of the Opposition “Let me explain what this reshuffle is all about. It is not that there are two economic Departments in our country, the Treasury and Business; I want every single Department to be about the economy. I want the transport department building roads; I want the communities department building houses; I want the culture department rolling out broadband; and I want the agriculture department backing British food. This is a Government who mean business, and we have got the team to deliver it.”
In a symbol of the commitment to delivery, Mr Cameron has appointed LOCOG chief executive, Paul Deighton, as Treasury minister based in the Lords to deliver infrastructure.
Although No 10 said the shuffle did not mean any change in coalition policy, his appointments have caused much speculation to the contrary.
Justine Greening, a fierce opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, along with Theresa Villiers, another opponent, have been moved from Transport. Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary has been demoted following his handling of health reforms to be replaced by a surprise appointment in Jeremy Hunt. Chris Grayling’s appointment as Justice Secretary in place of Ken Clarke is seen by many as a move to the right on sentencing, legal aid and the Human Rights Act.
Only three Ministers have been moved entirely from Government … Caroline Spelman from Environment; Cheryl Gillan from the Wales Office and Sir George Young as Leader of the House.
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