Who would have believed a week ago that a smiling David Cameron and Nick Clegg would be standing side by side outside 10 Downing Street sealing a new coalition government for all the world to see.
It is the start of a new democracy as a result of the people’s choice which clearly wanted no more Labour and Gordon Brown in government, though there was insufficient Conservative support for a majority government; the best alternative wass a partnership with the Lib Dems to get this wonderful country back on track, restoring optimism and faith in our future. It really is quite astonishing to see Nick Clegg appointed Deputy Prime Minister, I just haven’t got used to the idea yet.
Is there any reason why this coalition could not extend to include the best of Labour’s talents? Party politics aside, David Miliband was an excellent Environment Secretary and I feel he truly cared about climate change, but failed to shine as Foreign Secretary; I’m glad this post has been assigned to William Hague. Theresa May’s appointment as Home Secretary is a great reward for her dedication and loyalty, and I’m pleased for Liam Fox too who lost out in the Conservative leadership contest against David Cameron. Kenneth Clarke’s appointment will be popular, and, of course, there could be no other appointment for Andrew Lansley other than Health Secretary; he is also patron of Headway Cambridgeshire where I am chair of trustees.
This is the Cabinet announced so far, (updated 4pm) and I hope to see James Paice’s name included as Agriculture Secretary:
Updated 13 May:
Prime Minister – David Cameron
Deputy Prime Minister – Nick Clegg
Foreign Secretary – William Hague
Chancellor – George Osborne
Justice Secretary – Kenneth Clarke
Home Secretary – Theresa May
Defence Secretary – Liam Fox
Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary – Vince Cable
Work and Pensions Secretary – Iain Duncan Smith
Energy and Climate Change Secretary – Chris Huhne
Health Secretary – Andrew Lansley
Education Secretary – Michael Gove
Communities and Local Government – Eric Pickles
Transport Secretary – Philip Hammond
Environment Food and Rural Affairs Secretary – Caroline Spelman
International Development – Andrew Mitchell
Northern Ireland Secretary – Owen Paterson
Scottish Secretary – Danny Alexander
Welsh Secretary – Cheryl Gillan
Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Secretary – Jeremy Hunt
Chief Secretary to the Treasury – David Laws
Leader of the House of Lords – Lord Strathclyde
Minister without Portfolio – Baroness Warsi
Also attending Cabinet:
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General – Francis Maude
Minister of State – Cabinet Office – Oliver Letwin
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – David Willetts
Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal – Sir George Young
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip – Patrick McLoughlin
Attorney General – Dominic Grieve
So where is David Davies name in all this ?
If hes not in then Im afraid it sems to be petulance on Camerons part against the chap many of us would have wished to see as Leader of the party.
Is he still afraid of him ?
He surely ticks all the boxes , working class kid from a council astate brought up by his single mum , or are we too only see the kids from Eton and Westminster .
Im starting to worry.
disaffected, now there’s a name from the past. I don’t think his background would be an issue, it’s whether there is a job for him as the Lib Dems have to have a good share of what’s going.
I hope it works out well for the UK. Coalitions are tenuous at the best of times. But, it’s good to see Gordon gone.
Its a good result if you ask me. When the lesser appointments come out? I have hopes…
David Davies should have been made Home Secretary , Teresa May will be a disaster in the role.
Will TM be The Nasty Home Sec?
No WW she will more likely be ” kitten heel” Home Sec . !
Hi disaffected, I have no objections to Therese’s kitten heeled shoes. Will Ken Clarke’s Hush Puppies arose the same media interest?
Ellee, though I cant abide our Kens Europhile credentials hes still the political biz which is more than be said of our Theresa .
Bless ,she will never do this job , what on earth is Dave thinking of .
Plus I see no David Davies .this is both shaming and a mistake.
Remember the old one about having your enemies within rather than without .
Hes a chap who has proven he is more than capable , perhaps he wouldnt play the Cleggy political ball .
For all the spin today that this will all be OK I dont believe it will work for more than 6 months.
The Tories are so far apart from the LDs that this really cannot be more than a political scam .
However , I am so very glad to see the back of Brown and all the commies.
Good luck to the new government. I have my doubts about the fixed five year parliament, but hope everything works out.
Prime Minister – David Cameron
Deputy Prime Minister – Nick Clegg
Foreign Secretary – William Hague
Chancellor – George Osborne
Justice Secretary – Kenneth Clarke
Home Secretary – Theresa May
Defence Secretary – Liam Fox