Coalition Cabinet Shuffle

							                                  Coalition Cabinet Shuffle


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.

The full Cabinet list is shown below:

Rt Hon David Cameron MP (Con)                      for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury
and Minister for the Civil Service                 Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP (Con)
                                                   Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP (LD)                          Justice
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of
the Council                                        Rt Hon Theresa May MP (Con)
                                                   Secretary of State for the Home
Rt Hon George Osborne MP (Con)                     Department
Chancellor of the Exchequer
                                                   Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (Con)
Rt Hon William Hague MP (Con)                      Secretary of State for Defence
First Secretary of State, Secretary of State
Rt Hon Dr Vincent Cable MP (LD)                  Sport and Minister for Women and
Secretary of State for Business,                 Equalities
Innovation and Skills
                                                 Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP (LD)
Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP (Con)                Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
                                                 Rt Hon Lord Strathclyde (Con)
Rt Hon Edward Davey MP (LD)                      Leader of the House of Lords, Chancellor
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate        of the Duchy of Lancaster
Change
                                                 Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (Con)
Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP (Con)                      Minister without Portfolio (Minister of
Secretary of State for Health                    State)

Rt Hon Michael Gove MP (Con)                     Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC, MP (Con)
Secretary of State for Education                 Minister without Portfolio, Cabinet Office

Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP (Con)                     Also attending Cabinet meetings
Secretary of State for Communities and
Local Government                                 Rt Hon Francis Maude MP (Con)
                                                 Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster
Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP (Con)               General
Secretary of State for Transport
                                                 Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP (Con)
Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP (Con)                    Minister of State — Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Environment, Food         (providing policy advice to the Prime
and Rural Affairs                                Minister in the Cabinet Office)

Rt Hon Justine Greening MP (Con)                 Rt Hon David Willetts MP (Con)
Secretary of State for International             Minister of State (Universities and
Development                                      Science) — Department for Business,
                                                 Innovation and Skills
Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP (Con)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland          Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP (Con)
                                                 Leader of the House of Commons, Lord
Rt Hon Michael Moore MP (LD)                     Privy Seal
Secretary of State for Scotland (and
provides ministerial support to the Deputy       Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP (Con)
Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office)            Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
                                                 and Chief Whip
Rt Hon David Jones MP (Con)
Secretary of State for Wales                     Also invited to attend Cabinet meetings
                                                 when required

Rt Hon Maria Miller MP (Con)                     Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC, MP (Con)
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and        Attorney-General

The Parliamentary Information Office will watch developments with considerable interest and
continue to report on this and other constitutional issues.

Web: www.parliamentaryyearbookinformationoffice.co.uk
Email: parliamentaryyearbook@blakemedia.org
5th September 2012