Liz Truss’s Cabinet meets for first time after every Sunak supporter axed
Pictures show Liz Truss’s Cabinet meeting for the first time after every Rishi Sunak supporter was booted out of the top team.
The new prime minister rewarded loyalists with huge appointments last night – with Kwasi Kwarteng named chancellor and James Cleverly promoted to her old position as foreign secretary.
Her former leadership rival, Suella Braverman, has taken over as home secretary.
It means that for the first time in history, none of the great offices of state are occupied by white men.
Meanwhile, Thérèse Coffey, the Tory leader’s closest friend in government, is the country’s new health secretary and deputy prime minister.
The job of sorting out the nation’s horrendous energy crisis has been handed to new business, energy and industrial strategy secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
But the appointments emerged after a slew of sackings of those who opted to back Ms Truss’ rival.
The Conservatives claimed they would unite as ‘one family’ following the divisive leadership content.
Yet, ex-Chancellor Mr Sunak was not offered a role, while Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps, Steve Barclay and George Eustice were all sacked on Tuesday.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel seemingly jumped before she could be pushed, writing to Boris Johnson to resign shortly after the results of the leadership vote emerged on Monday.
The politician was not expected to be keep her job in Ms Truss’ new Cabinet, although claimed it was ‘her choice’ to go.
Mr Sunak could have scored a job if he didn’t anger Ms Truss with his conduct in the leadership contest, The Telegraph reports.
One Truss ally said: ‘At the start of the campaign it looked highly likely that Rishi would be offered a job in the Cabinet.
‘But the way he conducted his campaign – such as sending Dominic Raab out to say her policies were the equivalent of an electoral suicide note – has thrown this into doubt.’
Ms Coffey defended the make-up of the top team this morning, insisting it is ‘a government of all the talents that we have in this party’.
‘Liz has appointed a Cabinet of a mixture of whether it’s people of her proactive supporters, people who did not support her as well’, she said.
One of the prime minister’s first moves will reportedly be a plan to freeze energy bills in England, Scotland and Wales at around £2,500.
It is some £500 higher than the current cap but £1,000 below the level they are expected to hit in October and many thousands below rises predicted over the next six months.
The policy – which could cost as much as £150 billion – will be funded through borrowing and general taxation and is still being finalised.
Ms Truss will face Labour Leader Keir Starmer during her first Prime Minister’s Questions at noon.
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