2012 British cabinet reshuffle: Difference between revisions
KolbertBot (talk | contribs) m Bot: HTTP→HTTPS (v485) |
No edit summary |
||
(18 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|UK cabinet reshuffle undertaken by David Cameron}} |
|||
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} |
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} |
||
[[File:David Cameron official.jpg|thumb|200px|[[David Cameron]]]] |
[[File:David Cameron official.jpg|thumb|200px|[[David Cameron]]]] |
||
British prime minister [[David Cameron]] conducted the first major [[Cabinet reshuffle|reshuffle]] of his [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|coalition government]] on 4 September 2012. The reshuffle, nearly two and a half years after the government was sworn in, was highly anticipated, and eschewed the trend of annual reshuffles which had become common under the governments of the 1990s and 2000s. As a result, many ministers had been in place not just since the government was [[ |
British prime minister [[David Cameron]] conducted the first major [[Cabinet reshuffle|reshuffle]] of his [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|coalition government]] on 4 September 2012. The reshuffle, nearly two and a half years after the government was sworn in, was highly anticipated, and eschewed the trend of annual reshuffles which had become common under the governments of the 1990s and 2000s. As a result, many ministers had been in place not just since the government was [[2010 United Kingdom general election|elected in 2010]], but had covered the portfolio in [[Shadow Cabinet of David Cameron|Cameron's shadow cabinet]] or even earlier; [[Andrew Lansley]] had covered the health brief since 2004, when [[Michael Howard]] led the Conservatives in [[Shadow Cabinet of Michael Howard|opposition]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Iain|title=David Cameron's reluctant reshuffle|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9513670/David-Camerons-reluctant-reshuffle.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
Despite this, Cameron's room to manoeuvre was limited by his [[Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement|coalition agreement]] with Deputy Prime Minister [[Nick Clegg]]'s [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], which guaranteed the minority party seats in government, and Clegg the right to select his ministers. Further, Cameron's personal aversion to reshuffles and belief that ministers were most effective when given time at a department led to him viewing many cabinet members, including the holders of the [[Great Offices of State]], as immovable.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Iain|title=David Cameron's reluctant reshuffle|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9513670/David-Camerons-reluctant-reshuffle.html|work=The Telegraph| |
Despite this, Cameron's room to manoeuvre was limited by his [[Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement|coalition agreement]] with Deputy Prime Minister [[Nick Clegg]]'s [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], which guaranteed the minority party seats in government, and Clegg the right to select his ministers. Further, Cameron's personal aversion to reshuffles and belief that ministers were most effective when given time at a department led to him viewing many cabinet members, including the holders of the [[Great Offices of State]], as immovable.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Iain|title=David Cameron's reluctant reshuffle|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9513670/David-Camerons-reluctant-reshuffle.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
The reshuffle, which was criticised by the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|opposition]] for resulting in a cabinet with only four female members out of twenty-two,<ref>{{Cite news |
The reshuffle, which was criticised by the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|opposition]] for resulting in a cabinet with only four female members out of twenty-two,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cultural leanings for UK: nation of Borat has more women MPs|last=Cecil|first=Nicholas|date=24 January 2014|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|page=6}}</ref> ultimately shifted Cameron's government significantly to the right on business, justice, and the environment, and rid the government of perceived weaknesses, while maintaining stability at the top.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/04/david-cameron-government-reshuffle-cabinet|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> In an official statement, Number 10 stated that the impetus for the reshuffle was that after more than two years, the government was "at the delivery phase" and that ministers had "been appointed with that in mind".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
==Changes in the ministry== |
==Changes in the ministry== |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! style="background:#ccc;"| Individual |
! style="background:#ccc;" colspan=2| Individual |
||
! style="background:#ccc;"| Party |
! style="background:#ccc;"| Party |
||
! style="background:#ccc;"| Position before reshuffle |
! style="background:#ccc;"| Position before reshuffle |
||
! style="background:#ccc;"| Result of Reshuffle |
! style="background:#ccc;"| Result of Reshuffle |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Kenneth Clarke (2011).jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Kenneth Clarke]] QC MP |
| Rt Hon [[Kenneth Clarke]] QC MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| [[Lord Chancellor]]<br>[[Secretary of State for Justice]] |
| [[Lord Chancellor]]<br>[[Secretary of State for Justice]] |
||
| Made [[Minister without portfolio]]. |
| Made [[Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)|Minister without portfolio]]. |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Chris Grayling Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Chris Grayling]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Chris Grayling]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 26: | Line 29: | ||
| Promoted to [[Lord Chancellor]] and [[Secretary of State for Justice]] |
| Promoted to [[Lord Chancellor]] and [[Secretary of State for Justice]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Cheryl Gllian Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Cheryl Gillan]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Cheryl Gillan]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 31: | Line 35: | ||
| Sacked, returned to backbenches. |
| Sacked, returned to backbenches. |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Justine Greening.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Justine Greening]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Justine Greening]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 36: | Line 41: | ||
| Moved to [[Secretary of State for International Development]] |
| Moved to [[Secretary of State for International Development]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Jeremy Hunt Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Jeremy Hunt]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Jeremy Hunt]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 41: | Line 47: | ||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Health]] |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Health]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:David Jones Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| [[David Jones (Clwyd West MP)|David Jones]] MP |
| [[David Jones (Clwyd West MP)|David Jones]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| Undersecretary of State for Wales |
| Undersecretary of State for Wales |
||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Wales]] and appointed to the [[Privy Council |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Wales]] and appointed to the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Andrew Lansley Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Andrew Lansley]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Andrew Lansley]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 51: | Line 59: | ||
| Became [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Lord Privy Seal]] |
| Became [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Lord Privy Seal]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:David Laws Minister.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[David Laws]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[David Laws]] MP |
||
| [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] |
| [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] |
||
Line 56: | Line 65: | ||
| Promoted to Minister of State for Education and the Cabinet Office, with right to attend cabinet |
| Promoted to Minister of State for Education and the Cabinet Office, with right to attend cabinet |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Patrick McLoughlin - Secretary of State for Transport.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Patrick McLoughlin]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Patrick McLoughlin]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 61: | Line 71: | ||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Transport]] |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Transport]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Maria Miller Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| [[Maria Miller]] MP |
| [[Maria Miller]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| Undersecretary of State for Disabled People |
| Undersecretary of State for Disabled People |
||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]] and appointed to the [[Privy Council |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]] and appointed to the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Andrew Mitchell Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Andrew Mitchell]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Andrew Mitchell]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| [[Secretary of State for International Development]] |
| [[Secretary of State for International Development]] |
||
| |
| Became [[Chief Whip]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Owen-Paterson.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Owen Paterson]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Owen Paterson]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 76: | Line 89: | ||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Grant Shapps Official Cropped Housing.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Grant Shapps]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Grant Shapps]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| Minister of State for Housing and Planning |
| Minister of State for Housing and Planning |
||
| Promoted to [[Conservative Party |
| Promoted to [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]] and [[Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)|Minister without portfolio]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Caroline Spelman Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Caroline Spelman]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Caroline Spelman]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 86: | Line 101: | ||
| Sacked, returned to backbenches. |
| Sacked, returned to backbenches. |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:Theresa Villiers Official.jpg|75px]] |
|||
| Rt Hon [[Theresa Villiers]] MP |
| Rt Hon [[Theresa Villiers]] MP |
||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
Line 91: | Line 107: | ||
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] |
| Promoted to [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| [[File:Baroness Warsi Official.jpg|75px]] |
||
| Rt Hon [[Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Warsi|Baroness Warsi]] PC |
|||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| [[Conservative Party |
| [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]]<br>Minister without portfolio |
||
| Demoted to Senior Minister of State |
| Demoted to Senior Minister of State |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| [[File:George Young Minister.jpg|75px]] |
||
| Rt Hon [[George Young, Baron Young of Cookham|Sir George Young]] Bt MP |
|||
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] |
||
| [[Leader of the House of Commons]] |
| [[Leader of the House of Commons]] |
||
Line 104: | Line 122: | ||
==Significant events== |
==Significant events== |
||
===Grayling replaces Clarke as Lord Chancellor=== |
===Grayling replaces Clarke as Lord Chancellor=== |
||
[[Kenneth Clarke]], who had served in every Conservative government since [[Edward Heath]] made him an Assistant Whip in 1972, retired as [[Lord Chancellor]] at the age of 72 after two years, becoming an advisory [[Minister without portfolio]] with the right to attend cabinet, the [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]], and the important cabinet economic sub-committee.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/04/david-cameron-government-reshuffle-cabinet|work=The Guardian| |
[[Kenneth Clarke]], who had served in every Conservative government since [[Edward Heath]] made him an Assistant Whip in 1972, retired as [[Lord Chancellor]] at the age of 72 after two years, becoming an advisory [[Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)|Minister without portfolio]] with the right to attend cabinet, the [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]], and the important cabinet economic sub-committee.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/04/david-cameron-government-reshuffle-cabinet|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> Clarke, who declined Cameron's offer of the [[Leader of the House of Commons|Leadership of the House of Commons]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/04/david-cameron-government-reshuffle-cabinet|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> explained that when Cameron asked him to become [[Shadow Business Secretary]] in 2009, the men agreed that he would serve in the cabinet for two years, and that "At my age, it is time for me to step back from the slog of running a large department, but I am delighted to have been given a more advisory political role". Despite no longer being Lord Chancellor, Clarke maintained responsibility for passage of the [[Justice and Security Act 2013|Justice and Security Act]] as Minister without portfolio.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
Clarke's retirement from departmental office was viewed as a positive for both right-wingers and Eurosceptics in the Conservative Party, as Clarke was viewed as the Tories' most outspoken Europhile, and had been known as a [[wets and dries|liberal wet]] for decades. Clarke was replaced as Lord Chancellor by [[Chris Grayling]], a Eurosceptic who was also considered far less friendly to both the [[Human Rights Act 1998|Human Rights Act]] and [[European Convention on Human Rights]], both constant sources of scorn amongst grassroots Tories.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian| |
Clarke's retirement from departmental office was viewed as a positive for both right-wingers and Eurosceptics in the Conservative Party, as Clarke was viewed as the Tories' most outspoken Europhile, and had been known as a [[wets and dries|liberal wet]] for decades. Clarke was replaced as Lord Chancellor by [[Chris Grayling]], a Eurosceptic who was also considered far less friendly to both the [[Human Rights Act 1998|Human Rights Act]] and [[European Convention on Human Rights]], both constant sources of scorn amongst grassroots Tories.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> It was also believed that the move would be advantageous to [[Home Secretary]] [[Theresa May]], who had sparred with Clarke over the Human Rights Act during "catgate" during the previous October's [[Conservative Party Conference]], and believed to be much closer in ideology to Grayling.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
Grayling was initially intended to replace [[Iain Duncan Smith]], his immediate superior as Employment Minister, as [[Work and Pensions Secretary]] after Duncan Smith was moved to Lord Chancellor. When Duncan Smith resisted this, insisting that he be allowed to remain due to a fear that his [[Universal Credit]] scheme would be watered down by [[George Osborne]]'s [[HM Treasury|Treasury]] in his absence, Cameron decided instead to promote Grayling and leave Duncan Smith in place,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hope|first1=Christopher|title=Iain Duncan Smith rejected offer of Justice secretary to thwart George Osborne over welfare reforms|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9520271/Iain-Duncan-Smith-rejected-offer-of-Justice-secretary-to-finish-welfare-reform.html|work=The Telegraph| |
Grayling was initially intended to replace [[Iain Duncan Smith]], his immediate superior as Employment Minister, as [[Work and Pensions Secretary]] after Duncan Smith was moved to Lord Chancellor. When Duncan Smith resisted this, insisting that he be allowed to remain due to a fear that his [[Universal Credit]] scheme would be watered down by [[George Osborne]]'s [[HM Treasury|Treasury]] in his absence, Cameron decided instead to promote Grayling and leave Duncan Smith in place,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hope|first1=Christopher|title=Iain Duncan Smith rejected offer of Justice secretary to thwart George Osborne over welfare reforms|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9520271/Iain-Duncan-Smith-rejected-offer-of-Justice-secretary-to-finish-welfare-reform.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> leading to accusations of weakness from Labour's Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, [[Michael Dugher]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
Grayling's appointment proved immediately controversial due to the fact that he was the first non-lawyer to become Lord Chancellor in centuries. This led to questioning of his ability to adequately perform his functions, such as building relationships with members of the judiciary,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian| |
Grayling's appointment proved immediately controversial due to the fact that he was the first non-lawyer to become Lord Chancellor in centuries. This led to questioning of his ability to adequately perform his functions, such as building relationships with members of the judiciary,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> and of further politicisation of the judiciary, with [[Joshua Rozenberg]], a popular legal commentator and [[Queen's Counsel]], writing in the ''Guardian'' that his "main qualifications are that he is perceived to be right-wing and once shadowed prisons".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rozenberg|first1=Joshua|title=Chris Grayling, justice secretary: non-lawyer and 'on the up' politician|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/sep/04/chris-grayling-justice-secretary-non-lawyer|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
Clarke's departmental retirement was met with sadness from many justice related pressure groups, including the [[Howard League for Penal Reform]], which called him a "breath of fresh air", and even from the former Labour [[First Minister of Scotland]], [[Jack McConnell]], who said that he would have merged the [[Scotland Office|Scotland]], [[Wales Office|Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland Office]]s and made Clarke "Secretary of State for Nations" if he were Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian| |
Clarke's departmental retirement was met with sadness from many justice related pressure groups, including the [[Howard League for Penal Reform]], which called him a "breath of fresh air", and even from the former Labour [[First Minister of Scotland]], [[Jack McConnell]], who said that he would have merged the [[Scotland Office|Scotland]], [[Wales Office|Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland Office]]s and made Clarke "Secretary of State for Nations" if he were Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparrow|first1=Andrew|title=Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2012/sep/04/cameron-reshuffle-government-politics-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> |
||
===McLoughlin replaces Greening at transport=== |
===McLoughlin replaces Greening at transport=== |
||
[[Justine Greening]]'s lateral move from [[Secretary of State for Transport|Transport Secretary]] to [[Secretary of State for International Development|International Development]] was predicted by many, and sparked a late August "Battle for Justine" campaign amongst West London residents, who saw her removal as a shift in government policy in favour of a third runway at [[Heathrow Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Joe|title=Poster battle to save Justine Greening from re-shuffle to prevent Heathrow runway expansion|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/poster-battle-to-save-justine-greening-from-re-shuffle-to-prevent-heathrow-runway-expansion-8078787.html|work=London Evening Standard| |
[[Justine Greening]]'s lateral move from [[Secretary of State for Transport|Transport Secretary]] to [[Secretary of State for International Development|International Development]] was predicted by many, and sparked a late August "Battle for Justine" campaign amongst West London residents, who saw her removal as a shift in government policy in favour of a third runway at [[Heathrow Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Joe|title=Poster battle to save Justine Greening from re-shuffle to prevent Heathrow runway expansion|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/poster-battle-to-save-justine-greening-from-re-shuffle-to-prevent-heathrow-runway-expansion-8078787.html|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> Greening, who represents a London constituency, was reported to have responded furiously to the demotion, having "shouted" at Cameron.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Coates|first1=Sam|title=Two fingers and tears as reshuffle victims resort to gesture politics|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article3529835.ece|work=The Times|access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> Greening was replaced by [[Patrick McLoughlin]], the Chief Whip, who represented a constituency in [[Derbyshire]] and was "open" to Heathrow development.<ref>"Greening's departure leaves Tories at war over Heathrow." The Independent (London). (5 September 2012 Wednesday ): 662 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date. Retrieved 2016/07/01.</ref> |
||
[[Boris Johnson]], the Tory [[Mayor of London]] and perceived challenger to Cameron, attacked the move, calling Greening a "first rate Transportation Secretary" and saying that the "only reason" for it would be to clear a hurdle to building a third runway. [[Zac Goldsmith]], a backbench London Conservative MP, went even further in attacking Cameron for the apparent U-turn, saying that "real leadership requires clarity" and that the move reflected "panic, not principle".<ref>"Greening's departure leaves Tories at war over Heathrow." The Independent (London). (5 September 2012 Wednesday ): 662 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date. Retrieved 2016/07/01.</ref> |
[[Boris Johnson]], the Tory [[Mayor of London]] and perceived challenger to Cameron, attacked the move, calling Greening a "first rate Transportation Secretary" and saying that the "only reason" for it would be to clear a hurdle to building a third runway. [[Zac Goldsmith]], a backbench London Conservative MP, went even further in attacking Cameron for the apparent U-turn, saying that "real leadership requires clarity" and that the move reflected "panic, not principle".<ref>"Greening's departure leaves Tories at war over Heathrow." The Independent (London). (5 September 2012 Wednesday ): 662 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date. Retrieved 2016/07/01.</ref> |
||
Line 129: | Line 147: | ||
[[Category:Cabinet reshuffles in the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Cabinet reshuffles in the United Kingdom]] |
||
[[Category:David Cameron]] |
[[Category:Premiership of David Cameron]] |
||
[[Category:September 2012 events]] |
[[Category:September 2012 events in the United Kingdom|Cabinet reshuffle]] |
||
[[Category:2012 in British politics]] |
[[Category:2012 in British politics|Cabinet reshuffle]] |
Latest revision as of 08:41, 3 June 2024
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/David_Cameron_official.jpg/200px-David_Cameron_official.jpg)
British prime minister David Cameron conducted the first major reshuffle of his coalition government on 4 September 2012. The reshuffle, nearly two and a half years after the government was sworn in, was highly anticipated, and eschewed the trend of annual reshuffles which had become common under the governments of the 1990s and 2000s. As a result, many ministers had been in place not just since the government was elected in 2010, but had covered the portfolio in Cameron's shadow cabinet or even earlier; Andrew Lansley had covered the health brief since 2004, when Michael Howard led the Conservatives in opposition.[1]
Despite this, Cameron's room to manoeuvre was limited by his coalition agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, which guaranteed the minority party seats in government, and Clegg the right to select his ministers. Further, Cameron's personal aversion to reshuffles and belief that ministers were most effective when given time at a department led to him viewing many cabinet members, including the holders of the Great Offices of State, as immovable.[2]
The reshuffle, which was criticised by the opposition for resulting in a cabinet with only four female members out of twenty-two,[3] ultimately shifted Cameron's government significantly to the right on business, justice, and the environment, and rid the government of perceived weaknesses, while maintaining stability at the top.[4] In an official statement, Number 10 stated that the impetus for the reshuffle was that after more than two years, the government was "at the delivery phase" and that ministers had "been appointed with that in mind".[5]
Changes in the ministry
[edit]Significant events
[edit]Grayling replaces Clarke as Lord Chancellor
[edit]Kenneth Clarke, who had served in every Conservative government since Edward Heath made him an Assistant Whip in 1972, retired as Lord Chancellor at the age of 72 after two years, becoming an advisory Minister without portfolio with the right to attend cabinet, the National Security Council, and the important cabinet economic sub-committee.[6] Clarke, who declined Cameron's offer of the Leadership of the House of Commons,[7] explained that when Cameron asked him to become Shadow Business Secretary in 2009, the men agreed that he would serve in the cabinet for two years, and that "At my age, it is time for me to step back from the slog of running a large department, but I am delighted to have been given a more advisory political role". Despite no longer being Lord Chancellor, Clarke maintained responsibility for passage of the Justice and Security Act as Minister without portfolio.[8]
Clarke's retirement from departmental office was viewed as a positive for both right-wingers and Eurosceptics in the Conservative Party, as Clarke was viewed as the Tories' most outspoken Europhile, and had been known as a liberal wet for decades. Clarke was replaced as Lord Chancellor by Chris Grayling, a Eurosceptic who was also considered far less friendly to both the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights, both constant sources of scorn amongst grassroots Tories.[9] It was also believed that the move would be advantageous to Home Secretary Theresa May, who had sparred with Clarke over the Human Rights Act during "catgate" during the previous October's Conservative Party Conference, and believed to be much closer in ideology to Grayling.[10]
Grayling was initially intended to replace Iain Duncan Smith, his immediate superior as Employment Minister, as Work and Pensions Secretary after Duncan Smith was moved to Lord Chancellor. When Duncan Smith resisted this, insisting that he be allowed to remain due to a fear that his Universal Credit scheme would be watered down by George Osborne's Treasury in his absence, Cameron decided instead to promote Grayling and leave Duncan Smith in place,[11] leading to accusations of weakness from Labour's Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Dugher.[12]
Grayling's appointment proved immediately controversial due to the fact that he was the first non-lawyer to become Lord Chancellor in centuries. This led to questioning of his ability to adequately perform his functions, such as building relationships with members of the judiciary,[13] and of further politicisation of the judiciary, with Joshua Rozenberg, a popular legal commentator and Queen's Counsel, writing in the Guardian that his "main qualifications are that he is perceived to be right-wing and once shadowed prisons".[14]
Clarke's departmental retirement was met with sadness from many justice related pressure groups, including the Howard League for Penal Reform, which called him a "breath of fresh air", and even from the former Labour First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell, who said that he would have merged the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Offices and made Clarke "Secretary of State for Nations" if he were Prime Minister.[15]
McLoughlin replaces Greening at transport
[edit]Justine Greening's lateral move from Transport Secretary to International Development was predicted by many, and sparked a late August "Battle for Justine" campaign amongst West London residents, who saw her removal as a shift in government policy in favour of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.[16] Greening, who represents a London constituency, was reported to have responded furiously to the demotion, having "shouted" at Cameron.[17] Greening was replaced by Patrick McLoughlin, the Chief Whip, who represented a constituency in Derbyshire and was "open" to Heathrow development.[18]
Boris Johnson, the Tory Mayor of London and perceived challenger to Cameron, attacked the move, calling Greening a "first rate Transportation Secretary" and saying that the "only reason" for it would be to clear a hurdle to building a third runway. Zac Goldsmith, a backbench London Conservative MP, went even further in attacking Cameron for the apparent U-turn, saying that "real leadership requires clarity" and that the move reflected "panic, not principle".[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Martin, Iain. "David Cameron's reluctant reshuffle". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Martin, Iain. "David Cameron's reluctant reshuffle". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Cecil, Nicholas (24 January 2014). "Cultural leanings for UK: nation of Borat has more women MPs". London Evening Standard. p. 6.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick. "David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick. "David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick. "David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Hope, Christopher. "Iain Duncan Smith rejected offer of Justice secretary to thwart George Osborne over welfare reforms". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Rozenberg, Joshua. "Chris Grayling, justice secretary: non-lawyer and 'on the up' politician". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Sparrow, Andrew. "Cameron reshuffles his government: Politics live blog". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Joe. "Poster battle to save Justine Greening from re-shuffle to prevent Heathrow runway expansion". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ Coates, Sam. "Two fingers and tears as reshuffle victims resort to gesture politics". The Times. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ "Greening's departure leaves Tories at war over Heathrow." The Independent (London). (5 September 2012 Wednesday ): 662 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date. Retrieved 2016/07/01.
- ^ "Greening's departure leaves Tories at war over Heathrow." The Independent (London). (5 September 2012 Wednesday ): 662 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date. Retrieved 2016/07/01.