The new British prime minister must reunite the divided Tories. Sunak is therefore also appointing personnel from the turbulent reigns of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss to his new cabinet. Foreign, finance and defense ministers will retain their posts.
New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has brought former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab back into government. Raab will resume his old posts as deputy prime minister and justice secretary, Downing Street said. The 48-year-old previously held these positions under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and is considered one of Sunak's key allies. He was criticized for his plan to use a so-called Bill of Rights to reduce the influence of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on British legislation.
Treasury Secretary remains Jeremy Hunt. The personnel was expected, also because the government intends to present its eagerly awaited medium-term financial plan as early as next Monday. Hunt was only appointed by Sunak's predecessor, Liz Truss, on October 14, after the then PM fired incumbent Kwasi Kwarteng. In a spectacular 180-degree turn, Hunt reversed nearly all of Truss and Kwarteng's radical tax reform and was at one point considered the most powerful man in government.
Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace and Secretary of State James Cleverly will also retain their posts. The new general secretary of Sunak's Conservative Party will be Nadhim Zahawi, who recently campaigned for Johnson's return to Downing Street. The appointment is seen as an attempt to involve the camp around Johnson, whose relationship with Sunak is considered to be heavily strained. In return, at least eleven ministers and state secretaries from the Truss government are leaving the cabinet. Among them are three of Johnson's close allies: eccentric Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, Education Secretary Kit Malthouse and former Tory Secretary-General Jake Berry.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was sacked for breaking the rules, is the first confirmed woman to return to office just days after her resignation. Braverman had resigned from her cabinet two days before Truss' resignation after she forwarded an official document containing her private email address, contrary to departmental rules. The politician combined the probably forced resignation with sharp criticism of the Truss government's course. Braverman, from the party's right wing, represents an extremely hardline on immigration policy.
Grant Shapps, who headed the Home Office for a few days, will now become Economy and Energy Secretary under Sunak. Penny Mordaunt - Sunak's rival in the race for Downing Street - remains Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs. She had reportedly had hopes for a more important post, such as the State Department. After taking office, Sunak promised to lead the government with integrity and to restore trust.
