Boris Johnson reshuffles Cabinet to run country until he steps down
Ahead of announcing his intention to step down, the Prime Minister made some new appointments
Last updated 7th Jul 2022
The Prime Minister has reshuffled his cabinet and made some new appointments prior to announcing his resignation,
As many MPs have resigned as ministers, there were roles to be filled, the former Education Secretary Michelle Donelan resigning after just two days in post.
Although Boris Johnson has confirmed he is stepping down, he has said that he will continue as leader of the Conservatives and Prime Minister until a new leader has been appointed.
During this time he and his new cabinet will continue to run the country.
Who is in Boris Johnson's new cabinet?
Greg Clark
Greg Clark has been appointed at Downing Street as the new Levelling Up Secretary, replacing Michael Gove who was sacked by Mr Johnson on Wednesday, while James Cleverly has been made Education Secretary.
Greg Clark has said that he will do his best to "provide stability" in Government.
The newly-appointed Cabinet Minister, who replaced a sacked Michael Gove, tweeted: "We have a duty to ensure that the country has a functioning government in the weeks ahead.
"Having been Secretary of State at the Communities department before, I will do my best to provide stability, good governance and accountability to Parliament at this important time."
Sir Robert Buckland
Sir Robert Buckland has been appointed Secretary of State for Wales, following the resignation of Simon Hart.
The former Lord Chancellor accepted the offer of a Cabinet post just hours after questioning Mr Johnson’s integrity and saying he “can no longer go on”.
He told Sky News it was “crucial” that there were enough people carrying out the functions of Government in a “caretaker period” with no new policy initiatives.
Kit Malthouse
Kit Malthouse will be the new Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister.
He succeeds Steve Barclay, who was made Mr Johnson’s new Health Secretary on Tuesday.
Mr Malthouse, seen as another of Mr Johnson’s long-standing City Hall allies, was previously a minister of state in the Home Office and Ministry of Justice.
After his appointment, he tweeted Mr Johnson had made “the right decision”.
James Cleverly
James Cleverly has been appointed Education Secretary, making him the third person in that role in 48 hours, and the seventh in eight years.
Nadhim Zahawi was in the post on Tuesday afternoon before being appointed Chancellor, to be replaced by Michelle Donelan before she quit on Thursday.
Mr Cleverly was previously minister for Europe in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. His responsibilities shifted to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa in February’s reshuffle.
Shailesh Vara
Shailesh Vara was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, after his predecessor Brandon Lewis resigned earlier on Thursday.
Before his appointment, he tweeted that it was “the right decision” by Mr Johnson to resign.
“His place in history is secure. He delivered Brexit and oversaw the vaccine rollout and financial assistance plan during the Covid pandemic,” he said.
Andrew Stephenson
Andrew Stephenson was appointed Minister without Portfolio and will attend Cabinet, No 10 said.
He tweeted on Thursday: “I have loyally supported our last 3 Prime Ministers and our party in delivering for our country. Now that @BorisJohnson has decided to resign we must ensure a smooth transition so we may continue to do so”.
Mr Johnson will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place, expected to be by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.
Along with new appointed ministers, MPs listed below will also make up the cabinet:
- Dominic Raab MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
- Nadhim Zahawi MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; Minister for Women and Equalities
- Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department
- Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence
- Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President
- Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
- Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
- George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport
- Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland
- Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Privy Seal
- Nadine Dorries MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Minister of State (Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency)