Posted July 15, 2014 23:53:59
British prime minister David Cameron has announced a massive changing of the guard in his government, with a dozen ministers ousted from their positions.
As leader of the Conservative Party, Mr Cameron is carrying out a major reshuffle of his ministry before what is expected to be a closely fought national election next May.
Cast by some as a clean out of the so-called male, pale and stale, the prime minister's night of the long knives has surprised many.
William Hague, who made his first political impact in Margaret Thatcher's time, is stepping down as foreign secretary.
Seen as a good performer, he has been entrusted with the role of Commons leader and will be tasked to shore up the Conservatives' election chances.
Mr Hague's job has been taken by Philip Hammond, which is seen as a sideways shift.
Less controversial is the exit of education minister Michael Gove. His new job as chief whip removes him from the public front line.
Another to go is Tory warhorse Ken Clarke. Over nearly three decades he has done it all - the jazz-playing, beer-swilling, cigar-chomping champion of Britain staying in the European Union is not staying in cabinet.
As the replacements were announced, it was clear Mr Cameron decided he needed more diversity, especially women on his front bench.
With the election less than a year away, this is being viewed as more about a second term than the business of better government.
Topics:world-politics, united-kingdom
Entities 0 Name: Cameron Count: 2 1 Name: William Hague Count: 1 2 Name: Tory Count: 1 3 Name: Conservative Party Count: 1 4 Name: Britain Count: 1 5 Name: Hague Count: 1 6 Name: Michael Gove Count: 1 7 Name: Margaret Thatcher Count: 1 8 Name: David Cameron Count: 1 9 Name: Ken Clarke Count: 1 10 Name: European Union Count: 1 11 Name: Philip Hammond Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1sVdiee Title: William Hague to resign as foreign secretary in major cabinet reshuffle Description: William Hague is to stand down as foreign secretary with immediate effect and will take on the lesser role of leader of the House of Commons as he prepares to end his political career by retiring as an MP at the next election.
