Politics
Greg Evans
Sep 15, 2021
Boris Johnson rocked the boat on Wednesday afternoon by announcing a Cabinet reshuffle, with several high profile names being given their marching orders.
The biggest names to go, at the time of writing, are Gavin Williamson, Robert Jenrick and Robert Buckland who have lost their roles as education secretary, housing secretary and justice secretary respectively.
It remains to be seen who else will be on the chopping block and who will be replacing the aforementioned names. There are always rumours speculating that some high profile names could be either promoted or demoted.
For the time being, let’s see how the social media landscape has reacted to the news.
Gavin Williamson
Possibly the highest-profile name to get the axe so far is Williamson, who has always proved to be a divisive figure in his role as the education secretary.
In a tweet, Williamson – who rather infamously got sport stars Marcus Rashford and Maro Itoje mixed up earlier this month – said it was a “privilege” to have served in the role since 2019 and was particularly proud of the reforms that he has brought to post 16 education.
This programme will create better life opportunities for pupils and students for many years to come. I look forward… https://t.co/TPDBNaz0d4— Gavin Williamson (@Gavin Williamson) 1631709726
Although his sentiments seem genuine, the response to him leaving has been shall we say... mixed.
So long Gavin Williamson. Got to be one of the worst Education Secretaries ever, just when we needed a decent one. https://t.co/KG0rNXYZFJ— Lucy Powell MP (@Lucy Powell MP) 1631711742
tbf, i can confirm i have also cried on victoria street, so can't really judge :/ https://t.co/2VMEXqQHxX— Bethany Dawson (@Bethany Dawson) 1631712594
We’ve all been there https://t.co/ISwKHUgRxe— Rupert Hawksley (@Rupert Hawksley) 1631712455
#Reshuffle I was offered Gavin Williamson’s job but wasn’t willing to accept a demotion… https://t.co/J0bI2L0Abc— Larry the Cat (@Larry the Cat) 1631710709
Gavin Williamson has (finally) been removed as Education Secretary— Peter Stefanovic (@Peter Stefanovic) 1631709931
Maro Itoje scored 43 goals for Manchester United in the time Gavin Williamson was Education Secretary. https://t.co/GSv17pZwGy— Richard Jolly (@Richard Jolly) 1631710003
Live scenes as Gavin Williamson leaves No 10: https://t.co/eUJiqZJOBn— Have I Got News For You (@Have I Got News For You) 1631717091
Robert Jenrick
In a similar vein to Williamson, Jenrick said that it had been a privilege to serve as housing secretary since 2019.
He added: “I’m deeply proud of all we achieved. I will continue to support the prime minister and the government in every way I can.”
Here are a few reactions to his departure.
Jenrick gone?? Jenrick gone gone??? https://t.co/8cBR5QYsE4— Chaminda Jayanetti (@Chaminda Jayanetti) 1631712842
Hell yeah https://t.co/AX1psYvGNR— David Jenkins (@David Jenkins) 1631713766
"Robert Jenrick and Gavin Williamson" made a huge contribution"...which is why we got rid of them. 🤐 #ToryReshuffle— David Coburn (@David Coburn) 1631716029
Jenrick goes. Hard to think this isn't to do with the handling of the building safety crisis, and the reputational… https://t.co/Aac69wdxor— Peter Apps (@Peter Apps) 1631713305
Robert Buckland
The Welsh MP had been the justice secretary since 2019. After he was sacked he tweeted: “It has been an honour to serve in government for the last 7 years, and as the Lord Chancellor for the last two. I am deeply proud of everything I have achieved. On to the next adventure.”
Many of his peers were much more complimentary of his work than his colleagues who have also been released today.
Robert is honourable, hardworking, decent & very clever. Proud to have worked with him & especially proud to call h… https://t.co/ztEAZhuAnK— Peter Heaton-Jones (@Peter Heaton-Jones) 1631711569
@RobertBuckland I am very sorry indeed to hear this Robert. You did a first rate job and, importantly, always stood… https://t.co/jWMIlfuLwI— Sir Bob Neill MP (@Sir Bob Neill MP) 1631711718
Thank you @RobertBuckland for the important changes you made on domestic violence & sex violence against women. https://t.co/FzMsNVakcD— Harriet Harman (@Harriet Harman) 1631711771
Gotta say this is a fair comment. The pace and depth I could critique but no doubt Buckland cared and wanted to see… https://t.co/aXD63t70uj— Jess Phillips MP (@Jess Phillips MP) 1631713769
Many experts believe Buckland was sacked in order to create a job for Dominic Raab.
Very difficult to know why Robert Buckland has been sacked - other than to create a job for @DominicRaab. Buckland… https://t.co/tfF7gk08ad— Robert Peston (@Robert Peston) 1631711085
Buckland seems to have been sacked purely to create a vacancy for Raab.— Alex Andreou (@Alex Andreou) 1631711551
This leads us too...
Dominic Raab
The now-former foreign secretary has been, in many people’s eyes, demoted from his position and given the role of justice secretary and lord chancellor, previously held by Robert Buckland. He has also been named deputy prime minister.
The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP @DominicRaab has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of… https://t.co/XD9omsKngV— UK Prime Minister (@UK Prime Minister) 1631716057
This must be seen as a big blow for Raab who has come under intense scrutiny in the past month for his part in the UK’s handling of the crisis in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power (remember THAT phone call?).
Needless to say, Raab has proven to be a rife source of mockery and criticism once again.
Dominic Raab becoming justice secretary, something about finding out the courts are closed, something about the sea… https://t.co/tGxLRpMK6W— Mollie Goodfellow (@Mollie Goodfellow) 1631716627
Dominic Raab Has Been Appointed Justice Secretary, Lord Chancellor And Deputy Prime Minister Heaven help us https://t.co/H4zpI1BhIY— Peter Stefanovic (@Peter Stefanovic) 1631716426
New Justice Secretary Dominic Raab wants to repeal laws that protect working people from bad bosses and abolish the… https://t.co/bw4PhS56LM— Angela Rayner (@Angela Rayner) 1631717131
Dominic Raab should take a holiday after all this stress— Rosie Holt (@Rosie Holt) 1631715993
Dominic Raab to ask why he's Secretary of Just Ice, why not other water— Toby Earle (@Toby Earle) 1631716888
I like how they've set up the barriers, like he's queuing up for an "I'm getting fired" theme park ride https://t.co/cpXjzhppce— James Felton (@James Felton) 1631715368
Liz Truss
In a move that will raise a few eyebrows, Raab’s replacement as foreign secretary is stilton cheese advocate Liz Truss. This is a big promotion for the 46-year-old who had previously been the secretary for the international trade and had campaigned to Remain in the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Once again, the reaction to this appointment is mixed.
What an astonishing turnaround in fortune for Tiggerish Liz Truss.. tipped for the chop last Feb and constantly br… https://t.co/dLRAzKvV9V— Harry Cole (@Harry Cole) 1631717912
Hahahahahaha Liz Truss is the new Foreign Secretary of this perfectly fucking normal and serious country nothing ma… https://t.co/1wcecqxKrZ— Max Morgan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (they/them) (@Max Morgan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (they/them)) 1631718164
Ladies and gentlemen… your new foreign secretary, Liz Truss. https://t.co/Rcszk6TcUl— Joshua Zitser (@Joshua Zitser) 1631717625
Liz Truss now confirmed as foreign secretary, a well deserved promotion.— Chris Rose (@Chris Rose) 1631717684
PUT LIZ TRUSS BACK IN CHARGE OF CHEESE #CabinetReshuffle— Rosie Holt (@Rosie Holt) 1631710131
Michael Gove
Michael Gove has replaced Jenrick, becoming Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government tasked with taking on “cross-Government responsibility for levelling up”, Downing Street said.
The Rt Hon Michael Gove @MichaelGove has been appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Gover… https://t.co/H8DMftBNyu— UK Prime Minister (@UK Prime Minister) 1631719192
Again, his new role prompted a mixed reaction...
In case you're wondering what Boris Johnson *actually* thinks about the Red Wall, he has appointed Michael Gove to… https://t.co/A8PmH0u519— Sam Bright (@Sam Bright) 1631720414
Michael Gove shouldn’t be judged on past comments, says newly-appointed foreign secretary, The Rt Hon. Roy Chubby Brown.— Have I Got News For You (@Have I Got News For You) 1631627958
Surprised Gove has moved to housing and local government. With his special interests I thought he might go to the Ministry of Sound— Patrick Kidd (@Patrick Kidd) 1631719681
Amanda Milling
Elsewhere in the reshuffle, Amanda Milling has been sacked as the co-chair of the Conservatives. The MP for Cannock Chase said that it had “been a privilege and an honour” and thanked Boris Johnson for the opportunity.
Although Milling’s departure probably won’t make any headlines, it does come just a few weeks before the Tory conference.
🚨 Amanda Milling loses job as Tory party chair - brutal just a couple of weeks before Conservative conference https://t.co/RM1572sE6t— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1631716655
Amanda Milling & aides wandering around Parliament looking lost. Just stared straight ahead when I asked her about… https://t.co/IdwTjRdO4i— Jon Craig (@Jon Craig) 1631715060
So Amanda Milling is out. Just waiting for Ben Elliot to announce that his new Tory party co-chair is Prince Charles— Matt Chorley (@Matt Chorley) 1631717025
Tory MP on Amanda Milling's departure as party chair: "Thank god. Champagne is opening." https://t.co/5KMatJ7pqo— Aubrey Allegretti (@Aubrey Allegretti) 1631716957
Nadine Dorries
Nadine Dorries has replaced Oliver Dowden as UK culture secretary – nine years after she abandoned Parliament to appear on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
Dowden has been placed in charge of the Cabinet Office.
just when you thought the Tories' ongoing war against the arts, culture, museums and heritage sectors couldn't get… https://t.co/CekZXBpEXI— Dan Hicks (@Dan Hicks) 1631722872
I’ll just point out the new Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, gave a close friend £51,000 from parliamentary expen… https://t.co/kddxS721YS— Rachael Swindon (@Rachael Swindon) 1631721849
Nadine Dorries as culture secretary? Satire is dead #Reshuffle— Caroline Lucas (@Caroline Lucas) 1631722895
Nadhim Zahawi
Vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed education secretary after Gavin Williamson was removed in the cabinet reshuffle.
He served as children and families minister in the DfE between when Theresa May was prime minister.
.@nadhimzahawi is finally allowed to graduate. He's the new education secretary. Huge and important job.— Robert Peston (@Robert Peston) 1631721955
Safe pair of hands. Lots in sector know him from past role. Probably an uncomfortable fit for ramping up education… https://t.co/qVimpqxFA1— Mark Leach (@Mark Leach) 1631722798
People will inevitably complain that he’s never been a teacher. But it’s worth remembering the education brief also… https://t.co/QQtBgdLn8c— Laura McInerney (@Laura McInerney) 1631722697
Stephen Barclay
Former Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, is the new Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster.
He leaves the Treasury, where he was Rishi Sunak’s number two.
Stephen Barclay is one of the most competent ministers, I’m so happy he has a position within the cabinet. Hopefull… https://t.co/kL3kWiyHrA— Aisha|عائشة (@Aisha|عائشة) 1631723822
@PickardJE @BtaD42255016 @ConHome With the possible exception of Steven Barclay, what a list of incompetence. None… https://t.co/tfxUMRCjEm— Tim Shearer #FBPE #FBPPR #takebackBritain #Rejoin (@Tim Shearer #FBPE #FBPPR #takebackBritain #Rejoin) 1631722308
@10DowningStreet @SteveBarclay @CabinetOffice @cabinetofficeuk Great choice. Can bring his negotiating skills to,… https://t.co/LzKh2ksjDB— Paul Bishop We're waist deep in the Big Muddy (@Paul Bishop We're waist deep in the Big Muddy) 1631723624
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
No 10 announced that Anne-Marie Trevelyan has made a swift return to cabinet as international trade secretary and President of the Board of Trade.
She became a business minister, at minister of state level, last year after her role as international development secretary disappeared when the PM merged the department with the Foreign Office.
Sounds like anne marie trevelyan will return as Trade Sec after her Aid department was abolished last year.— Harry Cole (@Harry Cole) 1631724200
@10DowningStreet @annietrev @tradegovuk About time Anne-Marie Trevelyan returned to Cabinet. So happy for… https://t.co/nK6jh37as6— Zehra Zaidi (@Zehra Zaidi) 1631725593
Many congratulations to Anne-Marie Trevelyan @annietrev on her promotion to International Trade Secretary. Another… https://t.co/1b0mxqEHvp— Cllr Joe Porter 🇬🇧 (@Cllr Joe Porter 🇬🇧) 1631725088
Others who have been seen entering Downing Street today include Oliver Dowden and Michael Gove, with Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak confirmed to be keeping their roles as home secretary and chancellor respectively.
Elsewhere, if you want to take a look at our dream cabinet, you can do so..
Top 100
The Conversation (0)
x