LONDON – Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday launched a heated upheaval in his cabinet in a move aimed at revitalizing a government whose popularity now appears to be waning.
Three high ministers, Gavin Williamson, the secretary of education, Robert Buckland, the Secretary of Justice, and Robert Jenrick, the secretary of housing, communities and local government, confirmed that they had been removed, posting on Twitter that it had been a privilege to serve the government.
Much of the speculation about cabinet changes in recent weeks has focused on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, whose stance has been seen as faint after widespread criticism of his treatment of the evacuation of foreign ministers. ‘Afghanistan. His position was further diminished by his decision to delay the return of the holidays while the Taliban took control of Kabul.
Downing Street confirmed the shock in a statement but did not provide any further details. “The prime minister will carry out a reshuffle today to establish a strong and united team to better rebuild the pandemic,” a spokesman said.
A reshuffle gives Johnson a chance to reshape the top levels of his government ahead of a party conference next month in which he will try to provide a clearer political agenda after the Covid. But with coronavirus case numbers still high, the government is also preparing for the possibility of an increase in hospitalizations in the fall and winter.
On Tuesday, Johnson outlined plans to fight the virus as winter approaches, and said Britain would offer booster vaccines for people aged 50 and over and first shots to children aged 12 to 15. . His government is determined to avoid a new blockade, but could resort to measures such as mask warrants if infections increase.
After a successful start to the vaccine program in Britain earlier this year, Johnson’s Conservatives rose to opinion polls, but now it looks like that lead is evaporating. Last week, Mr Johnson gambled on breaking his election promise not to raise taxes so he could spend more money on health and social care.
Its critics have also complained about the lack of clarity about the government’s main national promise to “level up”, that is, to offer prosperity to economically deprived regions.
As secretary of education, Mr. Williamson had faced fierce criticism for having presided over a crisis in school exam results last year. Jenrick, as housing secretary, faced criticism after approving a real estate project involving a Conservative Party donor and was tasked with the proposal to loosen housing restrictions in England that was unpopular. among some conservative legislators. Mr. Buckland’s tenure was much smoother, but his departure frees up a position in the cabinet for other moves.
But so far, Mr. Johnson had been reluctant to move or fire members of a top-tier team that was initially largely selected from among its own Brexit supporters and defenders, which Johnson defended.
Since winning the landslide general election in December 2019, Johnson has made few changes to his cabinet, especially in February 2020, when Sajid Javid resigned as chancellor of the treasury after refusing to limit the right. to hire their own advisors.
Mr. Javid’s job went to Rishi Sunak, who has become a leading figure in the government and a possible successor to Mr. Johnson. However, Mr Javid returned to the cabinet earlier this year as health secretary when his predecessor, Matt Hancock, was forced to resign from the post in June.