Rishi Sunak aims to bring factions together in cabinet reshuffle

BBC News:

Rishi Sunak has appointed his team of top ministers, on his first day as the UK’s prime minister.

In a key speech outside No 10, he said he wanted to bring the country and party together, promising economic stability and confidence.

The cabinet reshuffle saw some predictable choices, and some that have surprised MPs.

“Unity, experience and continuity in some really key roles,” are the themes No 10 say they wanted to convey.

So, what can we read into who is staying, who is going, and what it all means?

No 10’s message is echoed by the former director of communications for David Cameron, Sir Craig Oliver, who said: “Unity is the watchword of this reshuffle. It’s clear each part of the party will feel represented in some way.

“Mr Sunak’s also not exiled big beasts to the backbenches where they can cause trouble – like Truss did with Michael Gove.”

Another of the notable elements of this reshuffle is the stability in three of the top jobs: Jeremy Hunt as chancellor, James Cleverly as foreign secretary and Ben Wallace as defence secretary.

This is likely intended to be a clear message that, particularly during the war in Ukraine and economic turmoil of the last few months, Mr Sunak wants to reassure MPs he can offer stability.