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He dedicated their efforts to tackling soaring energy bills, overhauling the transport network and boosting the housing supply.
After news broke of his resignation – and before his lectern address in Downing Street – he began filling vacancies left by this week’s
59 resignations so the business of Government could continue.
They included promoting Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly to Education Secretary.
And in a move that raised eyebrows among Tory MPs, the PM appointed Remainer Greg Clark – who served in Theresa May’s Cabinet – as Levelling Up and Housing Secretary. He replaced sacked Michael Gove.
Mr Johnson also brought former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland back from the backbenches to be Welsh Secretary. In another key appointment, he promoted Work and Pensions Minister Shailesh Vara to take charge of the Northern Ireland Office.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said he told the Cabinet his priority will be “to continue delivering on manifesto pledges and making sure the Government is on the side of the public, on the cost of energy, transport and housing and all else that matters to them”.
Mr Johnson also ruled out any major policy changes or tax-and-spending announcements.
The spokesman said: “He made clear the Government would not seek to implement new policies or make major changes of direction, rather it would focus on delivering the agenda on which the Government was elected. He said major fiscal decisions should be left for the next Prime Minister.”
Hours later Johnson loyalist Jacob Rees-Mogg trashed the legacy of Rishi Sunak claiming he was “not a successful Chancellor”.
He told Channel 4 News: “Rishi Sunak was not a successful Chancellor. He was a high tax Chancellor and he was a Chancellor who was not alert to the inflationary problem.
“We are facing internationally the greatest crisis in relation to inflation and I’m afraid the Treasury has not been tackling that properly. It has not been focusing on the inflationary issue. It has not taken charge of quantitative easing.”
The Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency added: “[The Cabinet] made the decision not to do new and innovative things but just to carry on with the business of Government until a new leader is in place.”
Asked if the PM may seek revenge against the players who ousted him, Mr Rees-Mogg replied: “He won’t. It’s quite clear that is not what is happening. He has a consensus Cabinet.”
Those at the new look top table spoke of their excitement at their roles. Newly-appointed Education Secretary Mr Cleverly replaced Michelle Donelan, who held the job for just a day before quitting.
Mr Cleverly said: “As someone whose grandfather was a teacher and whose children are currently in the education system, I am incredibly passionate about education and proud to be appointed. From childcare and exams results, to our Schools White Paper, T levels and the rest of our revolutionary skills agenda, we have a huge amount of work to do and I am looking forward to getting on with the job.
“I look forward to engaging with our brilliant nurseries, social workers, schools, colleges, universities and all the staff working across these sectors to realise people’s potential – whatever their backgrounds or wherever they come from.” He will be joined by new Education Minister Will Quince, who quit as Children’s Minister 24 hours earlier.
New Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Vara, who replaced just-resigned Brandon Lewis, called it a “huge privilege”. Sir Robert defended his decision to join Mr Johnson’s caretaker Cabinet.
He said: “The issue about the Prime Minister’s character has been settled. He no longer has the confidence of the Conservative Party. He is resigning. That is right. But the business of government goes on. I’m here to help.”
Also returning to Cabinet as Veterans Minister was Johnny Mercer. He was sacked from the same job by Mr Johnson in 2021 after a row over the treatment of troops who served in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel – among the Cabinet old guard like Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries – said it was her “duty” to continue in her role.
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