Theresa rivals purged as ruthless PM wields axe on Gove and Cameron pals in Cabinet bloodbath
New Prime Minister ends the Cabinet careers of seven David Cameron loyalists in the bloodiest reshuffle in decades
RUTHLESS Theresa May ended the Cabinet careers of seven David Cameron loyalists in the bloodiest reshuffle in decades.
The new PM stunned Westminster yesterday by taking an axe to her No10 predecessor’s clique, starting with leadership rival Michael Gove.
Three other top-table veterans were also dismissed, and an eleventh resigned during a brutal ministerial shake-up.
Aides to Britain’s second female Premier, who flies to Scotland today for crunch union talks with Nicola Sturgeon, said she was determined to stamp her authority on her Government from Day One.
A source close to the former Home Secretary said: “She wants her team to share her vision for the country. It’s important they commit to that, not yearn for what went before.
“Loyalty is also really important to her, and if she thought people were unable to offer that they were not invited to join her Cabinet.”
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Mr Gove’s sacking started the fresh bloodbath following George Osborne’s humiliating firing from the Treasury on Wednesday night.
The ex-Justice Secretary, who had a long-running feud with Mrs May over extremism and immigration, was summoned at 9.50am for a meeting just 20 minutes later.
Friends said he feared the worst after Boris Johnson, the leadership hopeful whose bid he destroyed, was made Foreign Secretary the night before.
One pal said: “Theresa told him she had been talking to colleagues, and they had told her that loyalty was really important. She said that made it difficult for him to serve in the Cabinet, and he needed to prove he was capable of it from the backbenches.”
Mr Gove is said to have immediately accepted the decision during the “cordial but brief conversation”.
But he did ask her to keep his close lieutenant ministers in government, including his justice deputy Dominic Raab.
Spending yesterday afternoon at a school play starring one of his children, Mr Gove tweeted: “It’s been an enormous privilege to serve for the last six years. Best of luck to the new Government.”
By the end of the day, other key Cameron appointees — Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin, Chief Whip Mark Harper and Treasury Chief Secretary Greg Hands — had also been sacked.
Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock was demoted, clinging on by his fingertips to a less senior Government job instead.
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Northern Ireland boss Theresa Villiers and Lords Leader Lady Stowell were also binned.
BYE GEORGE! George Osborne is brutally fired and shoved out the back door by new PM Theresa May
GEORGE Osborne is waking up for the first time in more than six years not as Chancellor after he was brutally sacked by Theresa May.
In an act of ruthlessness that stunned Westminster, the longtime ally of David Cameron was bundled out of the back of Downing Street by his successor Theresa May.
The new Prime Minister summoned him to Number 10 in one of her first acts and asked him to resign from the government, saying she needed to turn over a brand new leaf.
Minutes later, Mr Osborne slipped out of No11 Downing Street - his home for the past six years - via a back door.
A senior source close to Mrs May told The Sun: “She told him she did not want him to be part of Cabinet.”
He tweeted to say it has “been a privilege to be Chancellor these last 6 yrs”.
He added: “Others will judge - I hope I've left the economy in a better state than I found it.”
Mr Osborne added: “Thank you to everyone who's helped me do the job - my ministerial team, great special advisers, and the outstanding Treasury civil servants.”
Despite his swift sacking he also wished both Mrs May and the man who replaced him well.
He tweeted: “Good luck to new Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Phillip Hammond - they have my full support in the big challenge that lies ahead.”
The startling move sent out a strong message to Mrs May’s new government that she is now firmly in charge.
And experts said the move would delight pro-Leave Tory MPs furious with the Chancellor for his Project Fear scaremongering during the Referendum campaign.
His threat of a Brexit ‘Punishment’ Budget last month triggered an astonishing rebellion from 65 pro-Leave Tory MPs.
And he enraged Cabinet colleagues by enlisting the support of the IMF and German Ministers to the Remain cause.
The sacking delighted some backbench Tory MPs. Outspoken Nadine Dorries MP tweeted: “The posh boys have gone. It’s over.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb resigned after being hit by a sex-text scandal.
The mass sackings sparked fury among Mr Cameron’s loyalists, including Lord Maude who said Mrs May was seemingly avenging personal grievances. One MP said her new team was “not a unity government” but “a vendetta”. Another added: “There is now an awful lot of talent on the backbenches. Looking at the team, this might not last long.”
But the PM’s spokeswoman said the appointments were a “commitment to putting social reform at the heart of the Government”.
After rumours Cameron favourite Jeremy Hunt had also been sacked, No10 announced he would stay on as Health Secretary.
Mr Hunt walked up Downing Street without his NHS lapel badge, but had put it back on after his meeting with Mrs May. He later tweeted: “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated... thrilled to be back in the best job in Government.”
No10 announced last night that Mrs May will make Scotland her first official visit as PM today. The new Premier, who will meet Scotland’s First Minister Ms Sturgeon in Edinburgh, said she believes in keeping the UK together “with all my heart”.
Ms Sturgeon blasted new Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday after he said Scotland’s relationship with the EU should be no different from the rest of the UK despite 62 per cent of Scots backing Remain.
A major Whitehall overhaul was also announced yesterday.
The Business Department is to merge with Energy and Climate Change to create a super ministry.
Policy for universities and skills are also being returned to a beefed-up Education ministry.
It follows Mrs May’s creation of two new Brexit ministries on Wednesday.
Who’s who in the Cabinet: Profiles of the VERY Eurosceptic new members of Theresa May's front bench team
- Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary: Chief Brexiteer whose campaign led to Cameron's demise rewarded with plum role
Johnson had himself been in contention for taking up the role of Prime Minister following Cameron's announcement that he would resign from the position after Britain voted to leave the EU.
After all, Johnson had been the chief campaigner for Britain to exit, fighting tooth and nail for the historic change that would see the country leave the EU in two years.
But Johnson withdrew his hat from the ring soon after the referendum vote came through, with claims he had been ambushed by Michael Gove.
Johnson, 52, worked as a journalist but was elected as an MP in 2001.
He gave up his seat when he became the Mayor of London in 2008, but as his time drew to a close, he stood again - and was successful - as as MP in 2015.
The father-of-five's strong anti-EU agenda will heavily influence the British government, particularly with Johnson sitting in the Foreign Secretary role.
But he may not have an easy job with reports already coming out of Germany that Johnson is not a popular choice after his involvement in pushing for Brexit.
- David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union: Cameron's political rival is comeback king as he is moved from the backbench into newly-created role to steer Britain away from the EU
The former Europe Minister has been brought in from the cold, promoted into the Cabinet as Brexit Secretary after two decades on the backbench.
The promotion gives Davis a Cabinet position for the first time this century, having most recently served as Europe Minister from 1994 to 1997.
Looking smug as he visited the new Prime Minister at Downing Street, the 67-year-old pro-Brexiteer was given the role on the same day as Cameron left Downing Street. The pair previously faced each other for the Conservative leadership in 2005 with Cameron defeating Davis.
The colourful politician, who once forced a by-election by resigning over the erosion of civil liberties in the UK, is certain to come out strong in leading the country out of the EU.
Davis, who was supporting Boris Johnson for the leadership of the Conservative Party until he withdrew, was previously offered a Cabinet position by David Cameron but refused.
- Phil Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer: Long-time May ally rewarded with top job
Hammond was serving as the Foreign Secretary before being promoted to the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer under May's leadership.
The move comes with Hammond, who worked in manufacturing and consultancy companies, one of May's strongest allies in the Conservative party.
He has worked his way steadily up in government, having been appointed Transport Secretary in 2010 before winning the defence portfolio in 2011 then becoming Foreign Secretary.
The 60-year-old, pro-EU politician has been promoted to the role he has long been tipped to want with his presence balancing out the Brexit-heavy Cabinet.
Hammond takes over the position from George Osborne, who is widely believed to have jumped before being pushed by May.
- Amber Rudd, Home Secretary: May passes on her former role to another woman in heady promotion for another pro-EU politician
Amber Rudd, who was Energy and Climate Change Secretary before her promotion, will add flavour into May's Cabinet having previously attacked the newly-appointed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson for his pro-Brexit stance.
The 52-year-old butted heads with Johnson, accusing him of being too focused on winning a permanent residence at No10.
She was not shy over her calls for Britain to remain with the EU, attending a number of events over the country to encourage people to vote for Remain.
The promotion to Home Secretary is likely a thank you from May, who Rudd staunchly supported during the Conservative leadership contest.
The only female to have been given a role in Theresa May's reshuffle on Wednesday, Rudd is hoped to come out strong in her new role.
The promotion to Home Secretary is a swift rise for the politician of six years but she has already been given a dazzling endorsement by fellow MP Therese Coffey who said the role would be in safe hands under Rudd.
- Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary: Impressive comeback for pro-Brexiteer once caught up in political scandal
The newly created International Trade portfolio for Dr Fox signals a comeback for the politician.
Having been beaten for the Conservative Party leadership in 2005 and this year by former PM David Cameron, the pro-Brexiteer is likely to fare well under May.
But 54-year-old Fox, who was brought up in a council house outside Glasgow, could be out of practise with the politician not having held a ministerial position since October 2011 when he was forced to resign from his defence secretary post in disgrace.
Dr Fox was forced into political wilderness, despite his popularity with Euro-sceptics, after being embroiled in controversy over his friend introducing himself as an advisor.
But aside from the scandal, Dr Fox has held several ministerial roles including that of Defence secretary from 2010 to 2011.
The more fervent Brexiteer of those who were once tipped as successors to Cameron, he will have a strong – if small – support unit.
- Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary: Incumbent secretary and Eurosceptic sticks it out in current position in Cabinet reshuffle
A politician who once declared he would "die a Eurosceptic" has clung onto his position as Defence Secretary under the new rule of Theresa May.
Fallon, who has been a politician since the '90s, is one of the most experienced appointed in May's shuffle.
He even served under Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher and was one of those who urged the former PM not to resign.
Having been a Minister in the Department for Education between 1990 and 1992, he has also served as the Minister for Business and Minister for Energy before being appointed to Defence Secretary in 2014.
Supporting the Remain campaign, Fallon has long supported Mrs May.
- Justine Greening, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities : Leading ally of the new Prime Minister has been given two top posts
Justine Greening has been rewarded for being an ally of Theresa May by being given one of the top jobs in Cabinet as Education Secretary and Minister for Women.
She was formerly the Secretary of State for International Development, having first been elected to Parliament in 2005.
She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 2010-11, moving to Secretary of State for Transport in 2011 before settling as International Development Secretary in September 2012.
Greening campaigned vocally for Stronger In, and her south-west London constituency voted 75:25 against Brexit.
But she has since stressed the importance of uniting to confront its challenges, echoing the Prime Minister’s line of ensuring we make a success of it.
She was a key early supporter of May’s leadership bid and given her success in previous roles it was expected she would remain in Cabinet.
- Liz Truss, Justice Secretary: Rising star of Tory party to succeed disgraced Gove
The state school educated 40-year-old was the second woman to be announced as part of May’s expected women-heavy Cabinet appointments.
Liz Truss fought for the Remain campaign in the EU referendum.
In the wake of the vote she reminded constituents of the need to accept the result and move forward.
Her appointment follows Mrs May’s tendency thus far to balance Brexiteers and Remainers in her cabinet.
She initially openly backed Boris Johnson’s leadership bid but was quick to endorse Mrs May after the former Mayor of London stepped back from the race.
Truss is regarded as a rising star in the party. First elected in 2010, she served as Undersecretary for Education and Childcare in the coalition, and was also a Member of the Justice Select Committee.
But in her previous role as Environment Secretary she was accused of not responding to criticism even from experts.
In a spending review last year she surprised commentators by offering her own department for cuts.
As Justice Secretary, Truss is successor to Michael Gove, a controversial figure widely disliked by the party after his manoeuvring put Boris Johnson out of the leadership race.
- Gavin Williamson, Chief Whip: David Cameron’s former parliamentary private secretary given lead role in Government
Well-liked MP Gavin Williamson has been given the post of chief whip in Theresa May’s Government.
The huge promotion comes after he got a lot of respect from other politicians for his work as David Cameron’s parliamentary private secretary (PPS).
Speaking to Sky News in Downing Street he said he was “very surprised and very privileged”.
The 40-year-old has been in Parliament as the MP for South Staffordshire since 2010 and before then was a councillor in Scarborough.
Back in October 2013 he was reprimanded by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, for being noisy during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Mr Bercow told him that as a PPS his job was just to nod and carry notes.
He was state school educated before going to the University of Bradford where he got a degree in social sciences.
- Patrick McLoughlin, Tory Party Chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Former Transport Secretary remains in Cabinet, but with less real power
Patrick McLoughlin has been MP for Derbyshire Dales since 1986.
He sat on the back benches until becoming Shadow Chief Whip in 2005, then serving as Chief Whip and Treasury Secretary until taking the Transport portfolio in 2012.
In Cameron’s governments he supervised massive government investments in rail improvement works including Crossrail and HS2.
He also oversaw large road upgrade packages and if he had stayed on would have had a difficult decision to make about whether to build a third runway at Heathrow.
As Party Chair he will be responsible for party administration and overseeing campaign headquarters, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gets a seat at Cabinet.
The 58-year-old’s move represents a demotion for McLoughlin, who previously had more direct control of policy.
- Baroness Natalie Evans, Leader of the House of Lords: Relative unknown promoted in surprise move
The relatively unknown Baroness Natalie Evans, a life peer since September 2014, was an unexpected appointment by new PM Theresa May.
As Leader she will be responsible for procedure and conduct, as well as reading Commons statements in the Lords and taking part in formal ceremonies.
Baroness Evans was formally introduced to the House of Lords in 2014.
The 40-year-old has since acted as a government whip and spokesperson for education, justice, and work and pensions.
Prior to entering government, she was deputy director at Policy Exchange, a leading right-wing think tank, and director of the New Schools Network.
- Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary: May’s right-hand man gets his reward
Chris Grayling was Theresa May’s leadership campaign manager and many expected he would be rewarded with Brexit minister – a role that instead went to David Davis.
A long-time Eurosceptic, Grayling made a passionate and principled case for Brexit, avoiding difficult relations with the leadership by allying himself with May after the referendum.
An MP since 2001, the 54-year-old was Shadow Home Secretary in David Cameron’s opposition before a demotion to Employment Minister outside Cabinet in 2010 after a homophobic gaffe.
He then rose to Justice Secretary in 2012, before being made Commons Leader in 2014 after his determined Euroscepticism irritated the leadership.
Grayling, 54, was dubbed the least competent member of Cameron’s government as so many of his controversial policies as Justice Secretary were later repealed by Michael Gove.
It’s perhaps not the comeback he had hoped for, but it’s a definite promotion for Theresa May’s right-hand man.
- Damian Green, Work and Pensions Secretary: Ex-Home Office colleague talent-spotted by May
Damian Green was a middle level Home Office minister whose talents clearly attracted the attention and admiration of the new PM when they were colleagues.
An MP since 1997, he has also acted as Shadow Transport and Education Secretaries under Michael Howard and Iain Duncan Smith.
He was also Minister for Immigration from 2010-2012, and then for Policing and Criminal Justice from 2012-14, working under ex-Home Secretary Theresa May.
He came to public attention in 2008 after being arrested in connection with leaks from the then Labour-controlled Home Office.
There was insufficient evidence to bring a case against him.
At the time Green argued that bringing information to public attention that the government wished to keep secret was simply part of being in opposition.
It’s assumed Green is May’s second choice candidate after Stephen Crabb, who resigned from government earlier today.
- Sajid Javid, Communities Secretary: Globetrotting minister grounded with new role in Theresa May’s Cabinet
As Business Secretary Sajid Javid, 46, had been busy since the Brexit vote holding talks with economic superpowers and had jetted to India last week.
Other visits on the cards were to the USA, China, Japan and South Korea.
But now he can leave his passport at home as he has been appointed to the post of Communities Secretary.
Mr Javid has been a member of the Tory Party for years and attended his first party conference when he was 20.
Back then he campaigned against the Thatcher Government’s decision to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, calling it a “fatal mistake”.
Before becoming an MP he was a financial whizz with accolades including becoming the youngest vice president in the history of Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and being a managing director at Deutsche Bank.
Born in Rochdale, the 46-year-old was state school educated and has been the MP for Bromsgrove since the 2010 general election.
- Greg Clark, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary: May merges two departments and appoints pro-EU to head up the new one
Greg Clark has been moved from his post as Communities and Local Government Secretary to the beefed up Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department.
During the EU referendum campaign he was in favour of Remain but takes a similar view to Theresa May and speaking after Brexit he called for a “clear head”.
The Tunbridge Wells MP told the Kent and Sussex Courier: “"It is now important for us to unite and come together and have a constructive negotiation."
Before becoming an MP in 2005 he had several jobs including special advisor to the then Trade and Industry Secretary, Ian Lang, between 1996 and 1997, and director of policy for the Tory Party from 2001.
The 48-year-old attended his local Roman Catholic school before becoming the first person in his family to go to university, to study economics at Cambridge.
His father was a milkman and his mother worked at a supermarket.
- Karen Bradley, Culture Secretary: Newcomer ex-Home Office minister snapped up for larger role
Karen Bradley was elected MP for Staffordshire Moorlands in 2010 and quickly joined the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
She was a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury from 2013-14, essentially an assistant whip. David Cameron appointed her Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation in the Home Office when he created the position in 2014.
In that position, she emphasised giving a voice to victims of child abuse and protecting the most vulnerable in society. This fits in well with Theresa May’s One Nation approach as outlined in her speeches.
Bradley worked closely with May in the Home Office and it’s clear the PM spotted her talents.
She replaces John Whittingdale, who became a derided figure for his proposed changes to the BBC and once joked the broadcaster’s demise was a “tempting prospect”. It’s unclear whether the new appointment signals a change of tack from the new administration.
- Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales: Continuity for Wales as Cairns keeps his position
Alun Cairns is a safe appointment as Wales Secretary having held the position since Stephen Crabb’s move to DWP in March.
He is the MP for Glamorgan since 2010, and had previously served as Welsh Undersecretary from 2014 before moving up the department.
Cairns supported Remain in the EU referendum, and has since been quick to assure Wales that it will not be disadvantage when its EU regeneration funding stops.
However given that Wales voted strongly to leave the EU, despite being the biggest UK beneficiary of its relief funding, he argues new models must be explored. He will presumably be involved in organising this as he continues in his role.
- David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland: An unsurprising choice but providing continuity
David Mundell is the only Conservative MP representing a Scottish constituency, and therefore the only real choice for the role.
He has been Secretary of State of Scotland since 2015, and considering his unique status among Conservative MPs it would have been astonishing had he lost the position. However he is the first Scot to occupy the role since Michael Forsyth in 1997.
Mundell, like most of Scotland, supported remaining in the EU. Since the referendum he has stated that he would be open to Scotland having a different Brexit deal to the UK if it were possible, in contrast with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who is committed to Scotland remaining in the EU.