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May reshuffles her pack after high-profile resignations over Brexit approach – as it happened May reshuffles her pack after high-profile resignations over Brexit approach – as it happened
(5 months later)
We’re going to close down this live blog after a frenetic day of politics news. Thanks for reading.We’re going to close down this live blog after a frenetic day of politics news. Thanks for reading.
You can catch up on the full story here:You can catch up on the full story here:
Theresa May loses Boris Johnson but faces down Brexit rebels – for now
And here’s a summary of what’s happened this afternoon...And here’s a summary of what’s happened this afternoon...
The prime minister, Theresa May, reshuffled her cabinet after the resignations of key government ministers over her approach to Brexit. May’s position looked precarious as she was hit by a series of high profile resignations, including those of the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, and the Brexit secretary, David Davis, both Brexit supporters.The prime minister, Theresa May, reshuffled her cabinet after the resignations of key government ministers over her approach to Brexit. May’s position looked precarious as she was hit by a series of high profile resignations, including those of the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, and the Brexit secretary, David Davis, both Brexit supporters.
The long-serving health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, was appointed foreign secretary to replace Johnson and Dominic Raab was made Brexit secretary in place of Davis. Matt Hancock took over Hunt’s role at the Department for Health, while Jeremy Wright was moved from attorney general to culture secretary to replace him. Wright was, in turn, replaced by Geoffrey Cox.The long-serving health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, was appointed foreign secretary to replace Johnson and Dominic Raab was made Brexit secretary in place of Davis. Matt Hancock took over Hunt’s role at the Department for Health, while Jeremy Wright was moved from attorney general to culture secretary to replace him. Wright was, in turn, replaced by Geoffrey Cox.
There were also junior ministerial resignations as the Tory party took on a fractious air. Kat Malthouse, a work and pensions minister, replaced Dominic Raab as housing minister. And Chris Heaton-Harris became a junior minister at the Brexit department, replacing Steve Baker. May addressed backbenchers and many sought to project an image of unity afterwards. But it took less than an hour for one attendee to hand in his resignation.There were also junior ministerial resignations as the Tory party took on a fractious air. Kat Malthouse, a work and pensions minister, replaced Dominic Raab as housing minister. And Chris Heaton-Harris became a junior minister at the Brexit department, replacing Steve Baker. May addressed backbenchers and many sought to project an image of unity afterwards. But it took less than an hour for one attendee to hand in his resignation.
May declared herself “sorry and a little surprised” to hear of Johnson’s resignation. The former foreign secretary had claimed he now found her approach to Brexit – which he backed on Friday – impossible to back. He said that, under it, the UK was “headed for the status of colony”.May declared herself “sorry and a little surprised” to hear of Johnson’s resignation. The former foreign secretary had claimed he now found her approach to Brexit – which he backed on Friday – impossible to back. He said that, under it, the UK was “headed for the status of colony”.
May eventually staved off the possibility of a confidence vote. Earlier in the day, she had said she would fight one if it was convened.May eventually staved off the possibility of a confidence vote. Earlier in the day, she had said she would fight one if it was convened.
You can read a summary of the day’s earlier events here.You can read a summary of the day’s earlier events here.
Guy Verhofstadt, the chief Brexit coordinator for the European Parliament, says he hopes today’s resignations will lead to unity in the UK government.Guy Verhofstadt, the chief Brexit coordinator for the European Parliament, says he hopes today’s resignations will lead to unity in the UK government.
Walking out of the government won’t make Brexit go away, but as an optimist by nature, I hope that it creates some unity needed to find a parliamentary majority for an agreement that works. #brexit #BrexitShamblesWalking out of the government won’t make Brexit go away, but as an optimist by nature, I hope that it creates some unity needed to find a parliamentary majority for an agreement that works. #brexit #BrexitShambles
The Press Association has produced this illuminating graphic showing the number of cabinet ministers Theresa May has lost in the last year:The Press Association has produced this illuminating graphic showing the number of cabinet ministers Theresa May has lost in the last year:
Boris Johnson’s successor in the Foreign Office, Jeremy Hunt, praised his record. The attorney general of Anguilla, the hurricane-damaged British overseas territory Johnson was responsible for helping, is less convinced:Boris Johnson’s successor in the Foreign Office, Jeremy Hunt, praised his record. The attorney general of Anguilla, the hurricane-damaged British overseas territory Johnson was responsible for helping, is less convinced:
Meeting the worst Foreign Secretary we’ve ever had amongst the destruction of Hurricane Irma in Anguilla. Disinterested and out of his depth he cared nothing for our situation. Good riddance pic.twitter.com/udzzpoZ7OWMeeting the worst Foreign Secretary we’ve ever had amongst the destruction of Hurricane Irma in Anguilla. Disinterested and out of his depth he cared nothing for our situation. Good riddance pic.twitter.com/udzzpoZ7OW
Some light relief on a night of Westminster machinations: Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow has to take care of some crowd control issues as he tries to conduct a live interview with Jacob Rees-Mogg:Some light relief on a night of Westminster machinations: Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow has to take care of some crowd control issues as he tries to conduct a live interview with Jacob Rees-Mogg:
Another appointment. This time Justin Tomlinson as an undersecretary at the DWP.Another appointment. This time Justin Tomlinson as an undersecretary at the DWP.
The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of @JustinTomlinson MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions.The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of @JustinTomlinson MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Foreign Office has released footage of the new foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, arriving:The Foreign Office has released footage of the new foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, arriving:
Welcome Foreign Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt pic.twitter.com/8wiJZ6nXOCWelcome Foreign Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt pic.twitter.com/8wiJZ6nXOC
Speaking to Sky News just now, Hunt has paid tribute to Boris Johnson’s orchestration of the response to the poisoning of the former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia.Speaking to Sky News just now, Hunt has paid tribute to Boris Johnson’s orchestration of the response to the poisoning of the former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia.
He said his job is to “stand foursquare behind the prime minister” to get through the deal announced after the Chequers talks. Hunt added that nations are looking at the UK “wondering what sort of country we’re going to be in the post-Brext world”, adding that we will be a “dependable ally”.He said his job is to “stand foursquare behind the prime minister” to get through the deal announced after the Chequers talks. Hunt added that nations are looking at the UK “wondering what sort of country we’re going to be in the post-Brext world”, adding that we will be a “dependable ally”.
The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of @Geoffrey_Cox QC MP as Attorney General attending Cabinet. Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that he be sworn of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of @Geoffrey_Cox QC MP as Attorney General attending Cabinet. Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that he be sworn of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.
Labour’s shadow health secretary, Justin Madders, has said:Labour’s shadow health secretary, Justin Madders, has said:
Jeremy Hunt has overseen the worst collapse in patient standards of any health secretary in the history of the NHS.Jeremy Hunt has overseen the worst collapse in patient standards of any health secretary in the history of the NHS.
His time in charge will be remembered for soaring waiting lists, huge staffing shortages, and patients left with treatments rationed and operations cancelled in record numbers.His time in charge will be remembered for soaring waiting lists, huge staffing shortages, and patients left with treatments rationed and operations cancelled in record numbers.
It is an astonishing measure of the meltdown at the heart of the Tory government that this catalogue of failure is rewarded with promotion rather than the sack. Theresa May should call an end to this shambolic farce. Britain needs a functioning government, not this revolving door of failure.It is an astonishing measure of the meltdown at the heart of the Tory government that this catalogue of failure is rewarded with promotion rather than the sack. Theresa May should call an end to this shambolic farce. Britain needs a functioning government, not this revolving door of failure.
The Press Association is reporting that Boris Johnson has left the foreign secretary’s official residence in central London, following his resignation.The Press Association is reporting that Boris Johnson has left the foreign secretary’s official residence in central London, following his resignation.
Finally .... pic.twitter.com/YFuopBvIEeFinally .... pic.twitter.com/YFuopBvIEe
Here’s one that’s unlikely to please Tory hard Brexiters: a few days after the referendum, Jeremy Hunt wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph calling for the UK to remain in the single market and on the government to work out a deal before triggering article 50, then putting it to a second referendum.Here’s one that’s unlikely to please Tory hard Brexiters: a few days after the referendum, Jeremy Hunt wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph calling for the UK to remain in the single market and on the government to work out a deal before triggering article 50, then putting it to a second referendum.
The first part of the plan must be clarity that we will remain in the single market. We are the world’s greatest trading nation. We have shaped the world and the world has shaped us through our history of being open to free trade and championing it more than any other. It is not just at the heart of our economic success – it is also at the heart of our identity as one of the most open, liberal, outward-looking societies anywhere.The first part of the plan must be clarity that we will remain in the single market. We are the world’s greatest trading nation. We have shaped the world and the world has shaped us through our history of being open to free trade and championing it more than any other. It is not just at the heart of our economic success – it is also at the heart of our identity as one of the most open, liberal, outward-looking societies anywhere.
So the British government needs to calm markets and many worried investors and businesses, both locally and internationally, by making it clear that it is an explicit national objective to remain in the single market even as we leave the institutions of the EU.So the British government needs to calm markets and many worried investors and businesses, both locally and internationally, by making it clear that it is an explicit national objective to remain in the single market even as we leave the institutions of the EU.
In the article, Hunt added:In the article, Hunt added:
Before setting the clock ticking, we need to negotiate a deal and put it to the British people, either in a referendum or through the Conservative manifesto at a fresh general election.Before setting the clock ticking, we need to negotiate a deal and put it to the British people, either in a referendum or through the Conservative manifesto at a fresh general election.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since those words were written, but Tory backbenchers are already grumbling about the four great offices of state being held by remainers.A lot of water has passed under the bridge since those words were written, but Tory backbenchers are already grumbling about the four great offices of state being held by remainers.