UK PM Sunak shuffles cabinet to boost pledges on economy

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shuffled his cabinet this week in an effort to boost his pledges on the economy upon taking office. Sunak said the reshuffling would reflect his priorities as his government seeks to address the soaring inflation and energy prices as the country gears up for elections in 2024.

Sunak reshuffled the cabinet on Tuesday, breaking up two departments and forming several others. Sunak formed a new energy security and net zero department that would be led by former business minister Grant Shapps. Three other departments were also formed, one of which would focus on science and innovation.

Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch was given an expanded role that included both business and trade. Former culture minister Michelle Donelan was appointed to lead the science, innovation, and technology department. Former housing minister Lucy Frazer was appointed for the culture, media, and sports department.

Greg Hands was also appointed as the new Conservative Party chair. Hands would be replacing Nadhim Zahawi, who was dismissed following the ethics probe into his tax case.

Sunak’s spokesperson said the changes that were met with both praise and criticism by business and green energy advocates, might not be a “silver bullet” to solve the issues in the United Kingdom, but the changes would help Sunak deliver on his agenda.

Hands serving as party chair highlighted the importance of the role as the UK gears up for the 2024 elections, in which the opposition Labour Party is expected to win. Most opinion polls show the Conservative Party trailing behind Labour by 20 percentage points.

Hands predicted that the upcoming local and regional elections in May would not be easy for the governing Conservative Party.

“I know exactly what it is like in a time when the national party is not as popular as we would like it to be,” Hands told Times Radio. “My job is to deliver the best possible set of results…It’ll be a difficult set of elections but I’m still confident that we will do well.”

In a separate interview, Hands said the Conservative Party “will have a really good story to tell at next year’s general election, and we’re definitely looking forward to it.”