Rishi Sunak's full Cabinet as return of Suella Braverman splits opinion

New UK prime minister appoints well-known names in reshuffle

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to build a Cabinet of 'all the talents' in attempt restore credibility in government.

The former chancellor said the Conservative Party, which has been heavily divided over Brexit and the economy in recent years, must “unite or die” in a speech to his MPs on Monday.

Unlike previous prime ministers who filled their Cabinets with key allies, Mr Sunak retained much of the Cabinet he inherited from Liz Truss and returned some Boris Johnson appointees to their posts.

Perhaps his most eye-catching move was to restore Suella Braverman to the role of home secretary, less than a week after she was sacked from the job for a security breach.

Chancellor of the exchequer

Jeremy Hunt walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. REUTERS / Henry Nicholls

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who was brought in to steady Ms Truss’s ailing government and has been working towards a highly-anticipated Halloween fiscal statement, was selected to keep the keys to No 11 to try to stabilise the jittery markets.

In a post on Twitter, he said: “Honoured to serve our country, and @RishiSunak, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is going to be tough.

“But protecting the vulnerable — and people’s jobs, mortgages and bills — will be at the front of our minds as we work to restore stability, confidence and long-term growth.”

Foreign secretary

James Cleverly leaves after a meeting with Britain's newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP

James Cleverly was kept on as Foreign Secretary signalling Mr Sunak was not entirely breaking with the past two administrations.

On his reappointment, Mr Cleverly said he would continue to support the UK’s allies around the world “especially standing with Ukraine”.

Defence secretary

Ben Wallace arrives for a cabinet meeting. AP

Ben Wallace has been asked to keep his defence brief, given the continuing conflict in Ukraine demands continuity and stability.

Reports suggest Boris Johnson could be given a role as an envoy in Washington to shore up support for Ukraine.

Deputy prime minister

Long-time backer Dominic Raab has been chosen to be the Justice Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister, a position that he held less than two months ago before being sacked by Ms Truss.

Home secretary

Suella Braverman has been appointed Home Secretary less than a week after she was dropped from Liz Truss’s government over a breach of the ministerial code.

Ms Braverman was asked to resign for mishandling an official document and left with a parting shot that the government was failing its manifesto pledges on immigration.

Her return only six days later was condemned by opposition MPs, who said it breached Mr Sunak's promise at the door of Downing Street to restore trust and integrity.

"The shine came off Sunak pretty quickly," said Labour MP Steve Reed.

Chief whip

Simon Hart was brought in as Chief Whip to restore party discipline.

He takes over from Wendy Morton following the confusion over a fracking vote in the Commons last Wednesday.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Oliver Dowden, who resigned as party chairman after a disastrous double by-election loss under Mr Johnson, was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Cabinet Office.

Conservative Party chairman

Nadhim Zahawi initially announced he would be backing Mr Johnson to return as PM, before switching allegiance to Mr Sunak on the same day after the former leader said he would not be entering the contest.

The former chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said in a Twitter post: “A day is a long time in politics …”

Business secretary

Grant Shapps has been appointed Business Secretary. He had briefly been Home Secretary under Liz Truss.

Leader of the House of Commons

Penny Mordaunt, Mr Sunak's competitor for the top job, remains in the post.

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  Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street. Reuters

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  King Charles III invites Mr Sunak to become prime minister and form a new government in an audience at Buckingham Palace. PA

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  Mr Sunak promised to bring stability amid what he called a “profound economic crisis”. PA

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  The new prime minister is applauded as he enters Number 10. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

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  Mr Sunak is greeted by Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case as he enters 10 Downing Street. AFP

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  A worker loads a removal van with boxes outside 10 Downing Street. Reuters

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  Members of the public wait for the arrival of Mr Sunak near Downing Street. AP

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  Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office watch from the windows as Mr Sunak arrives in Downing Street. PA

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  An Indian artist in Mumbai creates a painting to congratulate Mr Sunak on becoming prime minister. EPA

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  Mr Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace. PA

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  Incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with a wave. AFP

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  Rishi Sunak is greeted by colleagues upon his arrival. AFP

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  Conservative MPs applaud as Rishi Sunak arrives. Reuters

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  Rishi Sunak departs after making a statement inside the Conservative Party's headquarters. PA

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  Mr Sunak meets the 1922 Committee in Parliament after he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party when Penny Mordaunt dropped out. PA

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  Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces Mr Sunak as the new leader of the Conservatives and therefore the prime minister. PA

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  Members of the media work outside No 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's prime minister, in central London, as they await announcements. AFP

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  Mr Sunak leaves his campaign office in London. AP

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  A billboard of Liz Truss, the departing prime minister, in London. Bloomberg

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  Members of the public look through the gates into Downing Street. Reuters

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  Mr Sunak leaves his home in London on Monday morning. AFP

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  Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt speaks to the media on Sunday. Ms Mordaunt pulled out of the race moments before the deadline for nominations. PA

Education Secretary

Gillian Keegan has been appointed Education Secretary.

Works and Pensions Secretary

Mel Stride, an ally of Mr Sunak in the leadership contest, has been appointed Works and Pensions Secretary.

Health Secretary

Steve Barclay has been appointed Health Secretary.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Therese Coffey has been appointed as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Levelling Up Secretary

Michael Gove returns to the Cabinet after being sacked by Boris Johnson in July.

International Trade Secretary

Kemi Badenoch returns as International Trade Secretary. She entered the first leadership contest to replace Mr Johnson but did not throw her name in this time around.

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary

Michelle Donelan has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Northern Ireland Secretary

Chris Heaton-Harris has been re-appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Scotland Secretary

Alister Jack has been re-appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Wales Secretary

David TC Davies is the new Secretary of State for Wales.

Leader of the House of Lords

Lord True has been re-appointed Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords.

Transport Secretary

Mark Harper has been appointed Transport Secretary.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister

Johnny Mercer will return to the role of Veterans’ Affairs Minister.

Minister for Development in the Foreign Office

Andrew Mitchell has been appointed as Minister for Development in the Foreign Office.

Immigration Minister

Robert Jenrick has been appointed Immigration Minister and will attend Cabinet.

Security Minister

Tom Tugendhat has been re-appointed as Security Minister and will attend Cabinet.

Attorney General

Victoria Prentis has been appointed as Attorney General.

Minister without portfolio

Sir Gavin Williamson returns to government as a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.