Cabinet reshuffle: Who is in Theresa May’s new government?
THERSA May’s Cabinet reshuffle saw some major changes to the Conservative frontbench, but which Tory ministers are in the new Government?
Cabinet reshuffle: Who is in Theresa May's new government
Gove 'flattered' to be invited back to May's cabinet
Michael Gove has made a shock return to the frontbench as Environment Secretary, after being sacked by Theresa May last year.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Gove said he was “quite surprised” abut his return to the Cabinet.
"I was down in Surrey and I was just enjoying the afternoon with a friend when suddenly the phone rang,” he said.
"There was an invitation to go to Number 10 Downing Street.
"Of course I knew that today was reshuffle day, but I genuinely didn't expect this role.”
Mr Gove, who served as Justice Secretary under David Cameron, succeeds Andrea Leadsom, who was promoted to Leader of the Commons.
David Green – a high profile Remain supporter – will now also serve as the Prime Minister’s right hand man and second in command, as her First Secretary of State.
The title, which was last given to George Osborne by David Cameron, effectively makes Mr Green the Deputy Prime Minister.
In a further spate of promotions, former Leader of the Commons David Lidington was made Justice Secretary, and ex-Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke is now the Work and Pensions Secretary.
Liz Truss was demoted to Chief Secretary for the Treasury
Mrs May said that the reshuffle offered “a Cabinet that will get on with the job of government”.
Of course I knew that today was reshuffle day, but I genuinely didn't expect this role
She said: “Crucially I've brought in talent from across the whole of the Conservative Party. We want a country that works for everyone."
“That's about delivering a successful Brexit negotiations. And those negotiations start in a week's time."
The reshuffle was not good news for former-Environment Secretary Liz Truss, who becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Most ministers held on to their posts despite rumours that many might face the axe.
Philip Hammond’s future as Chancellor looked uncertain after he took a back seat during the General Election campaign, with Home Secretary Amber Rudd tipped to replace him as the first female Chancellor.
However Mrs May has now confirmed that both will remain in their posts.
Boris Johnson held on to his role as Foreign Secretary, and urged MPs to back the Prime Minster despite speculation that he could be plotting a leadership challenge,
“I’m going to be backing her. Everybody I’ve been talking to is backing her as well,” Mr Johnson said last night.
Michael Gove returned to the Cabinet after being sacked by the PM last year
In a leaked WhatsApp message to Conservative MPs, the Foreign Secretary urged other top Tories to “calm down” and back the Prime Minister.
He reminded his fellow Tories that Theresa May won more votes across the nation that any Prime Minster since Margaret Thatcher.
"I can't remember us having anything like 43 per cent of the vote,” he wrote.
Education Secretary Justine Greening, who staunchly opposed Theresa May’s plans to expand grammar schools, also retained her position.
David Gauke was made the new Work and Pensions Secretary
Here is the full list of Theresa May’s new Cabinet:
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Philip Hammond
Home Secretary: Amber Rudd
Foreign Secretary: Boris Johnson
Brexit Secretary: David Davis
Defence Secretary: Sir Michael Fallon
Health Secretary: Jeremy Hunt
Environment Secretary: Michael Gove
First Secretary of State: Damian Green
Leader of the House of Commons: Andrea Leadsom
Leader of the House of Lords: Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
Justice Secretary: David Lidington
Chief Treasury Secretary: Liz Truss
Work and Pensions Secretary: David Gauke
Communities Secretary: Sajid Javid
Culture Secretary: Karen Bradley
International Development Secretary: Priti Patel
Transport Secretary: Chris Grayling
Business Secretary: Greg Clark
Trade Secretary: Liam Fox
Scottish Secretary: David Mundell
Conservative Party Chair: Patrick McLoughlin