After an exodus of senior ministers from the government last night, as the PM’s final reshuffle of this parliament began, the promotions are coming tumbling in today.
– First up was former Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, confirmed as the new Foreign Secretary following William Hague’s surprise resignation last night.
– Then there was Liz Truss, expected almost unanimously to be given a seat at the cabinet table this time round, who was moved from being an education minister to Environment Secretary.
– Another promotion for a woman from the lower ministerial ranks to a cabinet position was Nicky Morgan, replacing Michael Gove as Education Secretary and keeping the Women and Equalities brief. Gove has been shunted down to Chief Whip, which No 10 has confirmed is not even a full cabinet position, although he will attend cabinet meetings and have a prominent campaigning and media role.
– Michael Fallon, who was both a Business and Energy minister, has been appointed Defence Secretary, replacing Hammond, who has gone to the Foreign Office.