Related video: Dominic Raab demoted from foreign secretary post during cabinet reshuffle
Boris Johnson is expected to continue his cabinet shake-up on Thursday with a reshuffle of more junior ranks following an overhaul of some of the top positions yesterday.
Among the movers was Liz Truss, who was appointed foreign secretary, leaving Dominic Raab to be demoted, and Gavin Williamson, who was removed from the education brief.
Mr Johnson continued the firing as he reshaped his junior ministerial set-up, with longstanding schools minister Nick Gibb the most prominent figure to be shown the door.
The new Conservative Party co-chair, Oliver Dowden, has urged staff to “prepare for the next election” which one report suggested could be held as soon as spring 2023.
‘Nadine Dorries produces culture that people buy and actually want to see’
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, has defended the appointment of Nadine Dorries as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, suggesting sales of her books was proof enough that she was the right pick for the job.
He told Sky News: “I think Nadine Dorries is actually a best-selling author, if that isn’t part of culture…
“She’s sold thousands and thousands of books and now if that isn’t part of culture, media and sport I don’t know.
“What’s great about Nadine Dorries is she produces culture that people buy and actually want to see rather than some of the more crackpot schemes we’ve seen being funded in the past by taxpayers’ money.”
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 08:36
Nadine Dorries promotion perceived as move to ramp up culture war
Nadine Dorries, the best-selling author and former star of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, has been promoted to culture secretary in a move perceived by critics to ramp up the so-called “culture war”.
The former nurse and mother-of-three has been a long-time critic of the BBC, once claimed that “left wing snowflakes are killing comedy” and strongly opposed gay marriage and voted against the legislation at the time – though since said she regretted the decision.
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 08:33
Opinion | PM has tried to sort out his cabinet by sacking everyone for his own mistakes
Dominic Raab’s been sacked, or rather demoted, to deputy prime minister. The charge sheet against him appears to be taking too long to get on a flight home from Greece which, for all the sound and fury, made precious little difference to anything, writes Tom Peck.
In fact, the only truly outrageous aspect of that never-ending saga was the fact that both he, who was de facto deputy prime minister and Johnson, the actual prime minister, were both on holiday at the same time, the kind of holiday rota abomination that would not be sanctioned in a vaguely well-run sandwich shop.
Here is the full opinion piece:
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 08:25
‘Prepare for the next election,’ says Tory co-chair
The newly appointed co-chair of the Conservative Party, Oliver Dowden, has urged staff to “prepare for the next election”, The Daily Telegraph is reporting.
The former culture secretary, who was given the new role during yesterday’s reshuffle, told a gathering at the Tory HQ in Westminster that they should begin preparations for another nationwide vote, possibly within the next two years.
“You can’t fatten a pig on market day,” he was quoted as saying.
The Telegraph suggested the next general election could be held in as little as 20 months.
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 08:05
Who is out and who has been promoted?
First, a catch up on who is in and who is out so far.
Among the roles to see a shake-up were the foreign, education, justice and housing briefs.
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 07:56
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the cabinet reshuffle which is expected to continue apace on Thursday.
Tom Batchelor16 September 2021 07:53