The Spectator

Portrait of the week: ministerial musical chairs, women bishops, giant snails

issue 19 July 2014

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In a ministerial reshuffle, William Hague, who promised to leave Parliament at the election, was made Leader of the House, being replaced as Foreign Secretary by Philip Hammond, who was replaced as Defence Secretary by Michael Fallon. Sir George Young Bt, aged 73, was sacked as Chief Whip. Michael Gove was demoted to Chief Whip. David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said: ‘I wanted one of my big hitters, one of my real stars, one of my great brains, someone who has done extraordinary things for education in this country, to do that job.’ Mr Gove was replaced as Education Secretary by Nicky Morgan, who will keep her portfolio as minister for women. Disabled people got a minister all of their own, Mark Harper. Kenneth Clarke, aged 74, first appointed a whip in 1972, was sacked as minister without portfolio. Owen Paterson was sacked as Environment Secretary, to be replaced by Liz Truss, who had been an education minister.

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