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As it happenedended

Cabinet reshuffle - as it happened: Theresa May's attempt at show of strength ruined by ministers refusing to be moved

How the Prime Minister's New Year's reshuffle happened

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
,Lizzy Buchan
Monday 08 January 2018 09:27 GMT
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Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle: Key positions

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Theresa May’s attempts to reassert her authority through a Cabinet reshuffle ran into difficulties after senior ministers refused to move from their jobs.

Education Secretary Justine Greening dramatically quit the Government when Ms May tried to move her to the Department of Work and Pensions, leaving the Prime Minister scrambling to promote junior ministers to her top team.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also spent more than 90 minutes in Downing Street where he resisted Ms May's attempts to persuade him to switch to Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and allow Business Secretary Greg Clark to take on his role.

Cabinet “big beasts” such as Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd all kept their jobs, which led to critics quoting the PM's widely mocked election campaign claim that "nothing has changed" - when she made a major U-turn on a social care pledge.

Earlier, the shake-up descended into chaos when the Conservatives’ official Twitter account accidentally put out that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling would become party chairman – before Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis was officially appointed shortly after.

Former Justice Secretary David Lidington was appointed to replace the PM's close ally Damian Green, who was sacked as the Cabinet Office minister and de facto Prime Minister last month for misleading statements over pornography found on his office computer.

A younger and more diverse team of MPs was appointed to hold various Conservative party posts, although the appointment of pro-life MP Maria Caulfield to a prominent women's role attracted controversy.

Please see the live updates below

Claire Perry announced as new Business Minister, who will attend the Cabinet.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 20:41

Jeremy Wright will continue in his post as Attorney General.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 20:45

The marathon reshuffle is reaching its end now.

Only Liz Truss and Theresa May's former leadership rival Andrea Leadsom have not had their positions confirmed by Downing Street.

Ms Truss is currently Chief Secretary to the Treasury, while Ms Leadsom is Leader of the House of Commons.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 20:48

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 20:51

Caroline Nokes has been appointed as Immigration Minister and will attend Cabinet, Downing Street says.

She replaces Brandon Lewis, who has now become Conservative Party chairman.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 20:59

Interesting analysis of Theresa May's Cabinet here:

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 21:09

The Department of Health has released a statement about the changes to Jeremy Hunt's ministerial portfolio.

A spokeswoman said: "From today the department will be renamed Department of Health and Social Care, taking on responsibility for the forthcoming social care green paper which will set out the Government's proposals to improve care and support for older people and tackle the challenge of an ageing population.

"All costs associated with changing the department's name will be kept to a minimum."

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 21:12

Here's an update on Theresa May's Cabinet reshuffle today.

In:

Brandon Lewis becomes Conservative Party chairman, moving from the Home Office where he was Immigration minister.

James Cleverly, a prominent backbencher, is the new Tory Party deputy chairman. 

David Lidington replaces Damian Green as Minister for the Cabinet Office but is not made First Secretary of State. 

David Gauke leaves the Department for Work and Pensions to become the new Justice Secretary, replacing David Lidington.

Karen Bradley becomes Northern Ireland Secretary. She was the Culture Secretary.

Jeremy Hunt adds social care to his brief, becoming Health and Social Care Secretary.

Sajid Javid becomes Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government - adding housing to his job title.

Matthew Hancock replaces Karen Bradley as Culture Secretary. He has been a minister at DCMS.

Damian Hinds, a junior DWP minister, is promoted to be the new Education Secretary.

Esther McVey becomes Work and Pensions Secretary.

Caroline Nokes joins the Cabinet as Immigration Minister

Claire Perry will also be able to attend the Cabinet as a new Business Minister.

Out:

Sir Patrick McLoughlin resigns as Conservative Party chairman.

James Brokenshire steps down as Northern Ireland Secretary for health reasons.

Justine Greening resigns as Education Secretary.

Nothing has changed:

Chancellor Philip Hammond stays at the Treasury.

Amber Rudd remains Home Secretary.

Boris Johnson will keep his role as Foreign Secretary.

Greg Clark stays as Business Secretary.

Brexit Secretary David Davis remains in his role.

Gavin Williamson carries on as Defence Secretary

Liam Fox remain as International Trade Secretary.

Chris Grayling stays at the Department for Transport.

Penny Mordaunt remains in post as International Development Secretary.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove also stays in his role.

Alun Cairns keeps his position as Secretary of State for Wales.

David Mundell is appointed again as Scottish Secretary.

Baroness Evans stays as Leader of the House of Lords.

Jeremy Wright keeps his job as Attorney General.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 21:22

May's former leadership rival Andrea Leadsom keeps her job as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 21:43

Liz Truss will also keep her job as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Downing Street said.

Lizzy Buchan8 January 2018 21:49

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