Theresa May to cut ‘dead wood’ from the Cabinet in New Year reshuffle
The Prime Minister is expected to keep most Cabinet big beasts in their jobs, but make her Government more diverse
THERESA May will wield the axe on “deadwood” ministers from tomorrow in her New Year reshuffle.
The PM will make a handful of changes to her top team before chopping through the lower tiers.
Talks with close aides will take place today before Cabinet ministers are informed of their fate starting tomorrow.
The PM will use the reshuffle to make her Government more diverse, more youthful — and bring in more women.
Sources say the Cabinet big beasts are safe — but Education Secretary Justine Greening, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom are seen as vulnerable to be sacked or demoted.
Those heading upwards probably include Brandon Lewis who is likely to be made Party chairman.
Justice Minister Dominic Raab may be in line for a Cabinet post.
Rising stars Seema Kennedy, Nusrat Ghani and Rishi Sunak are all tipped for ministerial jobs.
Party managers are also keen for Kemi Badenoch, who only won her seat in June, to take on a senior role with the party.
A source said: “Some people have gone as far as they can. It’s a case of the glass ceiling.”
A minister added: “Some ministers have been around for years and not going anywhere.
“This reshuffle will show how emboldened she is now. She is unlikely to touch the big beasts but the question is how far will she go below that.”
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The changes will also allow Mrs May to promote Tory MPs who were elected in 2015.
The PM took a break from putting the finishing touches to her new team yesterday by attending a swimming contest in her constituency of Maidenhead, Bucks.
She turned up wearing trainers in her trademark leopard-print style and protected them from the water with blue plastic covers at the poolside.