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Cabinet reshuffle: Ken Clarke shifts to 'economic' role | Cabinet reshuffle: Ken Clarke shifts to 'economic' role |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ken Clarke is stepping down as justice secretary and being given a "roving economic brief" by David Cameron as part of a wide-ranging reshuffle. | |
Conservative Party co-chair Baroness Warsi and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan are also being replaced. | |
In other moves already confirmed, ex-international development secretary Andrew Mitchell is the new chief whip. | In other moves already confirmed, ex-international development secretary Andrew Mitchell is the new chief whip. |
The PM is not expected to change most senior ministers but a big shake-up is likely among middle and junior ranks. | |
Mr Cameron is thought to have met some of those he wants to move on Monday. | Mr Cameron is thought to have met some of those he wants to move on Monday. |
These included Justice Secretary Ken Clarke - who was held seven cabinet positions in his long political career - and Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman. | |
Mr Clarke is expected to remain in the cabinet as minister without portfolio within the Cabinet Office - advising the prime minister on issues including economic strategy. | |
Tuesday's cabinet meeting has been cancelled to allow the prime minister to deal with the reshuffle - the first major restructuring since the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government came to power in 2010. | |
On Monday night, it was announced Mr Mitchell would replace Patrick McLoughlin as government chief whip, a job whose main role is to maintain party discipline and get Conservative MPs to vote in favour of coalition legislation. | |
'Signing off' | 'Signing off' |
Sources have also confirmed Baroness Warsi has left her post, but was unable to say who would replace her. | |
Last month Baroness Warsi appealed to Mr Cameron to allow her to keep her post in any reshuffle but she hinted heavily at her departure href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%40Torychairman" >when she wrote on her official Tory chairman Twitter account: "It's been a privilege and an honour to serve my party as co-chairman, signing off @ToryChairman." | |
The prime minister is also expected to bring back Liberal Democrat David Laws as part of his shake-up. | |
Former cabinet minister Mr Laws resigned two years ago as chief secretary to the Treasury after admitting he claimed expenses to pay his partner's rent. | |
BBC political editor Nick Robinson says the changes will be widespread, both in the cabinet and among more junior ministers. | BBC political editor Nick Robinson says the changes will be widespread, both in the cabinet and among more junior ministers. |
He said Mr Clarke's move was one of a series which would reshape the government's middle and junior ranks and could - though this has not been confirmed - see new faces in departments such as health, transport, work and pensions and the position of party chairman. | He said Mr Clarke's move was one of a series which would reshape the government's middle and junior ranks and could - though this has not been confirmed - see new faces in departments such as health, transport, work and pensions and the position of party chairman. |
'Meaning business' | |
Leaving the Houses of Parliament on Monday evening, Mr Clarke was asked if he had any details of the reshuffle, replying: "The only news is I'm off to have a curry." | Leaving the Houses of Parliament on Monday evening, Mr Clarke was asked if he had any details of the reshuffle, replying: "The only news is I'm off to have a curry." |
The prime minister's aides say the appointments would prove the government meant business. | The prime minister's aides say the appointments would prove the government meant business. |
Any cabinet changes are thought unlikely to affect Chancellor George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May or Foreign Secretary William Hague. | Any cabinet changes are thought unlikely to affect Chancellor George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May or Foreign Secretary William Hague. |
But Mr Osborne was reminded of the scale of the political challenge the government faces when he was booed as he presented medals at the Olympic Stadium on Monday night. | But Mr Osborne was reminded of the scale of the political challenge the government faces when he was booed as he presented medals at the Olympic Stadium on Monday night. |
The reshuffle comes after several Conservative MPs accused the coalition of not doing enough to promote economic growth. | The reshuffle comes after several Conservative MPs accused the coalition of not doing enough to promote economic growth. |
There has been speculation about possible moves for Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Transport Secretary Justine Greening. | |
Housing minister Grant Shapps, employment minister Chris Grayling, minister for disabled people Maria Miller and Tory deputy chairman Michael Fallon are among the Conservatives tipped for promotion. | |
There has been speculation Ms Gillan could be replaced by Wales Office minister David Jones or Stephen Crabb, a whip. |