It moves on the chessboard. After the ousting of the former Conservative Party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, for a “serious violation of the ministerial code”, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak nominated Greg Hands to lead the Tories. The latter, Minister of International Trade since October, will have the difficult task of coordinating the campaign of the party in power for 13 years, and at the lowest in the polls, in the next legislative elections, which should take place in less than two years.
This appointment led to a slight ministerial reshuffle marked by the creation of four ministries, while Rishi Sunak, in power for just over 100 days, is weakened by affairs in his government and a lasting social crisis. With the cabinet reshuffle, Grant Shapps, who had been Minister for Business and Energy since October, becomes Minister for Energy Security and Carbon Neutrality.
Kemi Badenoch becomes Minister of Business and Commerce. Michelle Donellan, who was Minister of Culture, is appointed Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology. Lucy Frazer becomes Minister of Culture, Media and Sport. The changes will ensure that Rishi Sunak’s teams are “focused on the Prime Minister’s promises”, including halving inflation, and growing the economy, according to a Downing Street statement.