Key Changes In Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet – And How Controversial They Could Be

Britain welcomed yet another government rejig recently. Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, paved the way for a key cabinet change on Monday after sacking Indian-origin Suella Braverman amid a notable row over the policing of a pro-Palestinian march in London.

Among the several controversies the former home secretary has stirred, the pro-Palestine one is just the latest. Her Rwanda scheme – to deport migrants arriving through illegal routes thousands of miles away to the African nation – is also caught up in controversies.

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Five Notable Changes In Sunak’s Cabinet

Foreign Secretary David Cameron

There was shock in Westminster as the former prime minister marched through the door of No 10 Downing Street to get his new job. Cameron, who resigned over the Brexit referendum in 2016, was bruised by a 2021 lobbying scandal and will face scrutiny for his views on China.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins

The Sunak ally has politics in her blood. Atkins moves on up from financial secretary to the Treasury to health secretary. She has been an MP since 2015 and resigned as a justice minister in the series of exits that brought Boris Johnson down. She returned when Sunak became PM.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay

It could be seen as a demotion from his previous role presiding over England’s massive National Health Service. Barclay was Brexit secretary under Theresa May, health secretary under Johnson, was dumped from the cabinet under Liz Truss, and returned under Sunak.

Home Secretary James Cleverly

Cleverly has worked with wildly different leaders. He has been an MP for Braintree in Essex since 2015 and has served on the front benches of the last three prime ministers. On Monday, he replaced Suella Braverman as home secretary, switching from the foreign secretary brief.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

It is not a change. Hunt is staying as chancellor, the top finance minister role in British politics. Considering he has got to deliver the set-piece autumn statement in a few days, it would have been a big deal if he moved. Hunt was drafted in to calm the markets after Truss left.