UK Ministers brace for post-Brexit cabinet reshuffle

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UK Ministers brace for post-Brexit cabinet reshuffle

Last Updated : 13 Feb 2020 01:05:18 PM IST

UK braces for cabinet reshuffle (file photo)

Senior UK Ministers were bracing themselves for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's first major cabinet reshuffle since the ruling Conservatives' December 2019 general election victory, it was reported.

The Prime Minister will make a number of changes over the next 24 hours although it was unclear how wide-ranging they will be, the BBC said in a report.

Most of the cabinet have only been in their current posts for just over six months, having been appointed when Johnson became Prime Minister last July.

Johnson left his cabinet largely untouched following his party's decisive election victory in the December 12, 2019 elections, pending what sources suggested at the time would be a more significant overhaul after the UK left the European Union (EU) on January 31.

Senior figures such as Chancellor Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel were not expected to be moved, said the BBC report.

Johnson is expected to make changes at junior ministerial level - namely parliamentary under-secretaries of state - that could see a 50/50 gender balance in a push to promote female talent.

There is also a plan to make at least 60 per cent of parliamentary private secretaries women, compared with just 18 per cent at the moment.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said he would be "uncomplaining" if, as some expect, he is sacked or moved.

He added that it had been the "greatest honour" of his working life to serve the government as its chief law officer.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the BBC that reshuffles were often "brutal", but he was hopeful of staying in post.

"I am keen to serve. I enjoy the job of defence secretary. I'm a veteran, I'm a northern MP, I was actually in the army. So I think all those hopefully qualify me, but who knows?"

In response to the development, a Downing Street source told the BBC that Johnson would "reward those MPs who have worked hard to deliver on this government's priorities to level up the whole country and deliver the change people voted for last year".