This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2019/jul/24/boris-johnson-prepares-to-enter-downing-st-and-name-cabinet-theresa-may-prime-minister-live-news

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Boris Johnson cabinet: Sajid Javid, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab given top jobs – live news Boris Johnson cabinet: Sajid Javid, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab given top jobs – live news
(32 minutes later)
Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former attorney general and one of the MPs doing most to try to enable MPs to block a no-deal Brexit, has told Sky News that he does not share the optimism that Boris Johnson was proclaiming in his speech in Downing Street earlier.
Asked how he would you describe Johnson, Grieve replied:
He’s a charlatan. That is the clear evidence of his career and the way he has operated politically. That is one of the things that has caused me so much disquiet over his leadership bid but a majority of the party have been taken in by his offer ... We are going to have to see if in office he behaves differently from other times he has behaved at other times in his career.
Those of us who have worked alongside him and had a chance of watching him can see for ourselves his modus operandi and his capacity both for deception and self-deception and those are the two ingredients of charlatanism.
And Andrea Leadsom, who was leader of the Commons until two months ago, is back in cabinet as business secretary, No 10 has announced.
Nicky Morgan, the former education secretary who currently chairs the Commons Treasury committee, has been appointed culture secretary. Morgan voted remain, and is on the moderate wing of the party, and this is one of the few appointments tonight that counters the overall narrative of this reshuffle – which is that Boris Johnson has dismissed a relatively balanced cabinet dominated by managerial May loyalists and replaced it with a rightwing, hard Brexit reincarnation of the Vote Leave campaign.
Downing Street has just confirmed that Gavin Williamson, a former defence secretary and chief whip, is the new education secretary.
Here is Ian Lavery, the chair of the Labour party, on the reshuffle.
Boris Johnson’s first act as PM has been to appoint a cabinet of hardline conservatives who will only represent the privileged few.
A chancellor who’s consistently called for more tax cuts for big corporations, home and education secretaries who were sacked for breaches of national security, and a foreign secretary who doesn’t know the importance of our ports.
This out-of-touch cabinet pushed for nine years of damaging austerity, while demanding tax cuts for the super-rich and big corporations.
We need a general election and a Labour government that will bring real change for the many, not the privileged few, which Johnson and his cabinet represent.
No 10 has not announced the new education secretary yet, but Lavery has probably read this tweet.
The latest suggestions are that Gavin Williamson will become Education Secretary, Andrea Leadsom Business Secretary and Liz Truss the new International Trade SecretaryWe'll know within the hour.
Theresa Villiers, the former Northern Ireland secretary and another alumnus of the Vote Leave campaign, has returned to the cabinet as environment secretary.Theresa Villiers, the former Northern Ireland secretary and another alumnus of the Vote Leave campaign, has returned to the cabinet as environment secretary.
The SNP has described the new cabinet as “the worst since Thatcher”. This is from the SNP MP Pete Wishart. The SNP has described the new cabinet as “the worst since Thatcher”. This is from the SNP MP Pete Wishart:
Boris Johnson’s nightmare Tory government is shaping up to be the worst since Thatcher – packed full of extreme Brexiteers and rabid right-wingers who want to drag us back to a bygone era. Boris Johnson’s nightmare Tory government is shaping up to be the worst since Thatcher – packed full of extreme Brexiteers and rabid rightwingers who want to drag us back to a bygone era.
Senior Tory cabinet ministers have threatened to cut Scotland’s budget, roll-back devolution, and impose a devastating Brexit - that would inflict serious harm on Scottish jobs, living standards, public services and the economy. Senior Tory cabinet ministers have threatened to cut Scotland’s budget, roll back devolution, and impose a devastating Brexit – that would inflict serious harm on Scottish jobs, living standards, public services and the economy.
This is a Tory cabinet from hell, which Donald Trump or Nigel Farage would be proud of – with members that want to scrap the Barnett formula, privatise the NHS, roll-back workers’ rights, undo the welfare state, cut taxes for the rich, and even bring back the death penalty. This is a Tory cabinet from hell, which Donald Trump or Nigel Farage would be proud of – with members who want to scrap the Barnett formula, privatise the NHS, roll back workers’ rights, undo the welfare state, cut taxes for the rich, and even bring back the death penalty.
Westminster is becoming more extreme and out of touch by the day, while Scotland is being ignored and our interests are being side-lined. It’s no wonder that support for independence is growing and a majority want a fresh referendum. Westminster is becoming more extreme and out of touch by the day, while Scotland is being ignored and our interests are being sidelined. It’s no wonder that support for independence is growing and a majority want a fresh referendum.
This is from the Labour Campaign for Human Rights.This is from the Labour Campaign for Human Rights.
Our new Cabinet is the most anti-Human Rights in decades:- Our Foreign Secretary, @DominicRaab, & Chancellor Of The Duchy Of Lancaster, @michaelgove are both outspoken critics of the Human Rights Act.- Our Home Secretary, @patel4witham, is in favour of the death penalty.Our new Cabinet is the most anti-Human Rights in decades:- Our Foreign Secretary, @DominicRaab, & Chancellor Of The Duchy Of Lancaster, @michaelgove are both outspoken critics of the Human Rights Act.- Our Home Secretary, @patel4witham, is in favour of the death penalty.
Matt Hancock was one of the most enthusiastic late recruits to the Boris Johnson campaign, at some cost to his dignity. But it did not earn him a promotion. He is staying as health secretary, No 10 has confirmed.Matt Hancock was one of the most enthusiastic late recruits to the Boris Johnson campaign, at some cost to his dignity. But it did not earn him a promotion. He is staying as health secretary, No 10 has confirmed.
Here is a Guardian panel on the Boris Johnson speech earlier, with contributions from Zoe Williams, Owen Jones, Simon Jenkins, Anand Menon and Katy Balls.Here is a Guardian panel on the Boris Johnson speech earlier, with contributions from Zoe Williams, Owen Jones, Simon Jenkins, Anand Menon and Katy Balls.
What did we learn from Boris Johnson’s first speech as prime minister? Our panel respondsWhat did we learn from Boris Johnson’s first speech as prime minister? Our panel responds
Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, was publicly pitching for the chancellor’s job. There was speculation that she could go to business. Instead she will replace Liam Fox as international trade secretary, No 10 has announced.Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, was publicly pitching for the chancellor’s job. There was speculation that she could go to business. Instead she will replace Liam Fox as international trade secretary, No 10 has announced.
Ben Wallace, the Home Office minister and a longstanding Boris Johnson ally, has been made defence secretary, Number 10 says.Ben Wallace, the Home Office minister and a longstanding Boris Johnson ally, has been made defence secretary, Number 10 says.
Michael Gove, the environment secretary, has been made chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. That means he will be based in the Cabinet Office.Michael Gove, the environment secretary, has been made chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. That means he will be based in the Cabinet Office.
On paper, that does not seem like much of a job. The formal demands of the job are minimal (like appointing vicars in Lancashire). But the title is normally bestowed on a minister given some kind of “fixer” role. David Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, was chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Oliver Letwin also held the post.On paper, that does not seem like much of a job. The formal demands of the job are minimal (like appointing vicars in Lancashire). But the title is normally bestowed on a minister given some kind of “fixer” role. David Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, was chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Oliver Letwin also held the post.
Over the weekend the Boris Johnson camp briefed that Gove would be getting a promotion. This job could be a promotion, but that will depend on what Johnson asks Gove to “fix”, and how much authority he is given.Over the weekend the Boris Johnson camp briefed that Gove would be getting a promotion. This job could be a promotion, but that will depend on what Johnson asks Gove to “fix”, and how much authority he is given.
The person doing this job also often doubles us as “minister for the Today programme” - ie the government’s go-to media performer. This is something Gove would do very well.The person doing this job also often doubles us as “minister for the Today programme” - ie the government’s go-to media performer. This is something Gove would do very well.
Stephen Barclay is staying as Brexit secretary, No 10 has announced.Stephen Barclay is staying as Brexit secretary, No 10 has announced.
Priti Patel told Sky News it was a “great honour” to be appointed home secretary, adding that the role comes with “significant responsibilities”. She said:Priti Patel told Sky News it was a “great honour” to be appointed home secretary, adding that the role comes with “significant responsibilities”. She said:
I will do everything in my power to keep our country safe, our people secure, and also to fight the scourge of crime that we see on our streets. I look forward to the challenges that now lie ahead.I will do everything in my power to keep our country safe, our people secure, and also to fight the scourge of crime that we see on our streets. I look forward to the challenges that now lie ahead.
Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s speech in Downing Street earlier. Theresa May’s “burning injustices” speech when she was appointed PM turned out to be a very poor guide to what she achieved in office, but it was probably a good pointer to what she would have liked to have done in other circumstances. Johnson’s speech is also worth reading closely - although reading it is not easy, because he does not seem to believe in punctuation. I’ve inserted full stops, commas etc to make it readable.Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s speech in Downing Street earlier. Theresa May’s “burning injustices” speech when she was appointed PM turned out to be a very poor guide to what she achieved in office, but it was probably a good pointer to what she would have liked to have done in other circumstances. Johnson’s speech is also worth reading closely - although reading it is not easy, because he does not seem to believe in punctuation. I’ve inserted full stops, commas etc to make it readable.
Here are the main points.Here are the main points.
Johnson declared rhetorical war on the “pessimists” who, he claimed, had been talking the country down. At the start of his speech he said:Johnson declared rhetorical war on the “pessimists” who, he claimed, had been talking the country down. At the start of his speech he said:
And so I am standing before you today to tell you, the British people, that those critics are wrong - the doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters – they are going to get it wrong again.And so I am standing before you today to tell you, the British people, that those critics are wrong - the doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters – they are going to get it wrong again.
The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts because we are going to restore trust in our democracy.The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts because we are going to restore trust in our democracy.
At the end of his speech he also returned to this theme, saying:At the end of his speech he also returned to this theme, saying:
No one in the last few centuries has succeeded in betting against the pluck and nerve and ambition of this country. They will not succeed today.No one in the last few centuries has succeeded in betting against the pluck and nerve and ambition of this country. They will not succeed today.
As I said earlier, Johnson’s key soundbite seems to have been lifted from a Bill Clinton speech in 2012. (See 4.11pm.) You can watch the Clinton speech here (at 47.40). But Clinton deployed his optimism surge at the end of a long and brilliantly-argued speech. For Johnson, the optimism surge was his opening, and his main point.As I said earlier, Johnson’s key soundbite seems to have been lifted from a Bill Clinton speech in 2012. (See 4.11pm.) You can watch the Clinton speech here (at 47.40). But Clinton deployed his optimism surge at the end of a long and brilliantly-argued speech. For Johnson, the optimism surge was his opening, and his main point.
He said the government would immediately start hiring 20,000 more police officers. This commitment came in a passage that implied there would be a frenzy of domestic policy-making in the next few daysHe said the government would immediately start hiring 20,000 more police officers. This commitment came in a passage that implied there would be a frenzy of domestic policy-making in the next few days
My job is to make your streets safer – and we are going to begin with another 20,000 police on the streets and we start recruiting forthwith.My job is to make your streets safer – and we are going to begin with another 20,000 police on the streets and we start recruiting forthwith.
My job is to make sure you don’t have to wait 3 weeks to see your GP and we start work this week with 20 new hospital upgrades, and ensuring that money for the NHS really does get to the front line.My job is to make sure you don’t have to wait 3 weeks to see your GP and we start work this week with 20 new hospital upgrades, and ensuring that money for the NHS really does get to the front line.
My job is to protect you or your parents or grandparents from the fear of having to sell your home to pay for the costs of care and so I am announcing now – on the steps of Downing Street – that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.My job is to protect you or your parents or grandparents from the fear of having to sell your home to pay for the costs of care and so I am announcing now – on the steps of Downing Street – that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.
My job is to make sure your kids get a superb education wherever they are in the country and that’s why we have already announced that we are going to level up per pupil funding in primary and secondary schools and that is the work that begins immediately behind that black door.My job is to make sure your kids get a superb education wherever they are in the country and that’s why we have already announced that we are going to level up per pupil funding in primary and secondary schools and that is the work that begins immediately behind that black door.
All of this sounds like “action this day” stuff, as Churchill would have put it. But these commitments are less imminent than they sound. When Johnson announced his plan for 20,000 more police officers during the leadership campaign, the press notice explicitly said this target would not be hit until 2022, the end of this parliament. Having 20 new hospital upgrades sounds good, but hospitals are being upgraded around the UK all the time. This sounded like a reference to something happening anyway. And on social care Johnson is doing no more than reiterating the government’s determination to address a problem that has been urgent for many years now. Theresa May was also committed to addressing this. Johnson has not said anything about why he might succeed where she didn’t.All of this sounds like “action this day” stuff, as Churchill would have put it. But these commitments are less imminent than they sound. When Johnson announced his plan for 20,000 more police officers during the leadership campaign, the press notice explicitly said this target would not be hit until 2022, the end of this parliament. Having 20 new hospital upgrades sounds good, but hospitals are being upgraded around the UK all the time. This sounded like a reference to something happening anyway. And on social care Johnson is doing no more than reiterating the government’s determination to address a problem that has been urgent for many years now. Theresa May was also committed to addressing this. Johnson has not said anything about why he might succeed where she didn’t.
Johnson said that he wanted to unite the whole of the country.Johnson said that he wanted to unite the whole of the country.
And I will tell you something else about my job. It is to be prime minister of the whole United Kingdom.And I will tell you something else about my job. It is to be prime minister of the whole United Kingdom.
And that means uniting our country, answering at last the plea of the forgotten people and the left behind towns by physically and literally renewing the ties that bind us together, so that with safer streets and better education and fantastic new road and rail infrastructure and full fibre broadband we level up across Britain.And that means uniting our country, answering at last the plea of the forgotten people and the left behind towns by physically and literally renewing the ties that bind us together, so that with safer streets and better education and fantastic new road and rail infrastructure and full fibre broadband we level up across Britain.
With higher wages, and a higher living wage, and higher productivity we close the opportunity gap, giving millions of young people the chance to own their own homes and giving business the confidence to invest across the UK.With higher wages, and a higher living wage, and higher productivity we close the opportunity gap, giving millions of young people the chance to own their own homes and giving business the confidence to invest across the UK.
Because it is time we unleashed the productive power not just of London and the South East but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - the awesome foursome that are incarnated in that red white and blue flag.Because it is time we unleashed the productive power not just of London and the South East but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - the awesome foursome that are incarnated in that red white and blue flag.
There is nothing unusual about a new PM wanting to govern for the whole country; all new PMs say they want to do this. But in this passage Johnson seems to be conflating two quite different issues: the need to preserve the union, and the need to address the concerns of so-called left-behind regions. These are two quite different problems, and if Johnson thinks the same solutions will address them, he is mistaken. (Maybe he doesn’t, but the passage reads as if it has been written by someone who thinks the politics of Boston are the same as the politics of Belfast.)There is nothing unusual about a new PM wanting to govern for the whole country; all new PMs say they want to do this. But in this passage Johnson seems to be conflating two quite different issues: the need to preserve the union, and the need to address the concerns of so-called left-behind regions. These are two quite different problems, and if Johnson thinks the same solutions will address them, he is mistaken. (Maybe he doesn’t, but the passage reads as if it has been written by someone who thinks the politics of Boston are the same as the politics of Belfast.)
He confirmed that he wanted to deliver Brexit by the end of October. “We will come out of the EU on October 31,” he said.He confirmed that he wanted to deliver Brexit by the end of October. “We will come out of the EU on October 31,” he said.
He said that he was “convinced” he could get a Brexit deal - and implied that the EU would be to blame if he failed. He said:He said that he was “convinced” he could get a Brexit deal - and implied that the EU would be to blame if he failed. He said:
I am convinced that we can do a deal without checks at the Irish border, because we refuse under any circumstances to have such checks, and yet without that anti-democratic backstop.I am convinced that we can do a deal without checks at the Irish border, because we refuse under any circumstances to have such checks, and yet without that anti-democratic backstop.
And it is of course vital at the same time that we prepare for the remote possibility that Brussels refuses any further to negotiate and we are forced to come out with no deal - not because we want that outcome – of course not - but because it is only common sense to prepare.And it is of course vital at the same time that we prepare for the remote possibility that Brussels refuses any further to negotiate and we are forced to come out with no deal - not because we want that outcome – of course not - but because it is only common sense to prepare.
He implied that he wanted people to prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit “with high hearts and growing confidence”. This is how the speech continued, after the passage quoted above where Johnson said it was “common sense” to prepare for no-deal.He implied that he wanted people to prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit “with high hearts and growing confidence”. This is how the speech continued, after the passage quoted above where Johnson said it was “common sense” to prepare for no-deal.
Let me stress that there is a vital sense in which those preparations cannot be wasted and that is because under any circumstances we will need to get ready, at some point in the near future, to come out of the EU customs union and out of regulatory control, fully determined at last to take advantage of Brexit.Let me stress that there is a vital sense in which those preparations cannot be wasted and that is because under any circumstances we will need to get ready, at some point in the near future, to come out of the EU customs union and out of regulatory control, fully determined at last to take advantage of Brexit.
Because that is the course on which this country is now set, with high hearts and growing confidence we will now accelerate the work of getting ready. And the ports will be ready, and the banks will be ready, and the factories will be ready and business will be ready, and the hospitals will be ready, and our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more not just here but around the world.Because that is the course on which this country is now set, with high hearts and growing confidence we will now accelerate the work of getting ready. And the ports will be ready, and the banks will be ready, and the factories will be ready and business will be ready, and the hospitals will be ready, and our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more not just here but around the world.
In this passage Johnson is conflating preparations for a no-deal Brexit with preparations for Brexit, as if they are the same thing. They are not. But there is almost no one in business preparing for no-deal with “high hearts”.In this passage Johnson is conflating preparations for a no-deal Brexit with preparations for Brexit, as if they are the same thing. They are not. But there is almost no one in business preparing for no-deal with “high hearts”.
Johnson claimed that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would have an extra £39bn - the sum due to be paid to the EU under the withdrawal agreement. But the EU does not accept that. And until Johnson became prime minister today, the Treasury’s argument used to be that much of this money would have to be paid anyway, because it represents debts for which the UK is legally liable. Ministers used to argue that, if the UK did not pay up, it could get taken to court, and its reputation as a good faith negotiating partner would be badly damaged.Johnson claimed that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would have an extra £39bn - the sum due to be paid to the EU under the withdrawal agreement. But the EU does not accept that. And until Johnson became prime minister today, the Treasury’s argument used to be that much of this money would have to be paid anyway, because it represents debts for which the UK is legally liable. Ministers used to argue that, if the UK did not pay up, it could get taken to court, and its reputation as a good faith negotiating partner would be badly damaged.
Johnson said that there would be a giveaway budget in the autumn, whatever happened over Brexit. He said:Johnson said that there would be a giveaway budget in the autumn, whatever happened over Brexit. He said:
Whatever deal we do we will prepare this autumn for an economic package to boost British business and to lengthen this country’s lead as the number one destination in this continent for overseas investment.Whatever deal we do we will prepare this autumn for an economic package to boost British business and to lengthen this country’s lead as the number one destination in this continent for overseas investment.
He called for tax cuts to promote investment in capital and research.He called for tax cuts to promote investment in capital and research.
He reaffirmed his commitment to free ports.He reaffirmed his commitment to free ports.
He said he wanted to relax the rules that apply to GM foods after Brexit.He said he wanted to relax the rules that apply to GM foods after Brexit.
Let’s start now to liberate the UK’s extraordinary bioscience sector from anti genetic modification rules and let’s develop the blight-resistant crops that will feed the world.Let’s start now to liberate the UK’s extraordinary bioscience sector from anti genetic modification rules and let’s develop the blight-resistant crops that will feed the world.
This sounds partly like a US ask for a trade deal.This sounds partly like a US ask for a trade deal.
He suggested he wanted the UK to build an alternative to the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system. He said:He suggested he wanted the UK to build an alternative to the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system. He said:
Let’s get going now on our own position navigation and timing satellite and earth observation systems – UK assets orbiting in space with all the long term strategic and commercial benefits for this country.Let’s get going now on our own position navigation and timing satellite and earth observation systems – UK assets orbiting in space with all the long term strategic and commercial benefits for this country.
He implied that an early election was likely. At one point Johnson seemed to by toying with his audience, as if he was about to announce an election. (See 3.54pm.) He didn’t, but everything he said about his domestic agenda suggested he will soon want to get a decent majority, because without one his ambitions cannot be achieved.He implied that an early election was likely. At one point Johnson seemed to by toying with his audience, as if he was about to announce an election. (See 3.54pm.) He didn’t, but everything he said about his domestic agenda suggested he will soon want to get a decent majority, because without one his ambitions cannot be achieved.
The last person to combine being foreign secretary with first secretary of state was William Hague, who used to deputise for David Cameron at PMQs.The last person to combine being foreign secretary with first secretary of state was William Hague, who used to deputise for David Cameron at PMQs.
Presumably Dominic Raab will do the same for Boris Johnson.Presumably Dominic Raab will do the same for Boris Johnson.
MPs being MPs, Tories have probably started already speculating about who their next leader will be. This reshuffle suggests Raab is being lined up as heir apparent.MPs being MPs, Tories have probably started already speculating about who their next leader will be. This reshuffle suggests Raab is being lined up as heir apparent.
This is from the new chancellor.This is from the new chancellor.
Deeply honoured to be appointed Chancellor by PM @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to working with @hmtreasury to prepare for leaving the EU, unifying our country and priming our economy for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.Deeply honoured to be appointed Chancellor by PM @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to working with @hmtreasury to prepare for leaving the EU, unifying our country and priming our economy for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.