Katy Balls Katy Balls

Sunak opts for loyalty first in reshuffle

Oliver Dowden (photo: Getty)

What does Rishi Sunak’s mini-reshuffle reveal? When Nadhim Zahawi was sacked as party chairman, the Prime Minister took his time in deciding who would succeed him – eventually appointing Greg Hands. This time around Sunak has moved quickly in the wake of the report into bullying allegations that led to Dominic Raab’s resignation. Sunak hopes to move the news agenda on with a string of ministerial appointments.

As James Heale reports on Coffee House, Alex Chalk – a one nation Tory who backed Sunak in the leadership contest – is the new Justice Secretary. On top of this, Oliver Dowden takes on Raab’s deputy prime minister brief – while keeping his current role in the Cabinet Office. This is an unsurprising appointment, with Dowden one of Sunak’s closest political allies. He is already a regular face in meetings at No.

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