May's Cabinet Reshuffle - an Overview

This week, Theresa May moved forward with her cabinet reshuffle. Well, moved forward, then back again, then slightly to the left, then hopped on one foot, before eventually giving up and going back to just talking rubbish.

Given some of the drastic failings of this government—both in the run-up to and following the general election, we've seen some catastrophic failures within ministerial departments—you could be forgiven for thinking that a reshuffle was perhaps exactly what the country needs.

With Jeremy Hunt singlehandedly trying to throttle the NHS, David Davis attempting to punt Britain as far from the shores of Europe as possible, and Boris Johnson managing to offend every non-white nation on Earth (even managing to offend half of them!) a fresh cabinet could spell the beginning of a new dawn for the Conservative party. Except they are all still there.

Hunt's dictatorship over the NHS has brought the service to its knees, with the cancellation of 40,000 elective surgeries over the next few months standing out against the backdrop of reduced treatments, closed oncology departments and dying patients. Yet, following a two-hour pleading session with the Prime Minister, he has not only managed to keep his job, but has gained more responsibilities thanks to a promotion. Hunt is now tasked not only with privatising the NHS, but also Social Care!

He has been quoted recently stating that the NHS Crisis is a "Huge Commercial Opportunity" for the right organisations, notably those he consulted for in his earlier career.

Boris Johnson has had an awful year, from dropping a British National in hot water abroad by incorrectly stating that she was "training journalists," through to defending Toby Young's appointment to the Office for Students following the backlash regarding some pretty disgusting tweets.

Johnson called Young the "ideal man for the job," despite the fact that Young himself admitted that this was not the case, resigning from the position moments later.

Johnson's string of gaffes and constant desperation to provide soundbites to a press, baying for blood, has of course made him eligible for commendation under this conservative government.

We have, however, seen some movement within the cabinet.

Justine Greening resigned from her position as Secretary for Education, after being offered a side-step into Secretary for Work and Pensions. She was replaced by Damian Hinds (wasn't this reshuffle supposed to be replacing old men with a more diverse cabinet?!).

Hinds had previously acted as a Minister of Employment under the Department for Work and Pensions, but has little to no profile on education, apart from strongly supporting a new network of Elite Grammar Schools, before it became a Conservative party policy.

His professional life contains the typical consultancy track record amongst blue-chip companies common within the Conservative Party. Interestingly, his private sector experience is solely within Hospitality, having worked for InterContinetal Hotels Group and Greene King—not hugely relevant to education.

Sajid Javid has taken over as Secretary for Housing to the dismay of every tenant across the country. Following his resignation as Managing Director of Deutsche Bank in 2009 (following the crash that Deutsche Bank and others helped cause) on a £3m salary, Javid has used his position to strongly oppose housing reform, having voted for reducing housing benefit, but against a banker's bonus tax, and against the mansion tax. He voted against the proposal of "rent caps" and tighter regulations on landlords. He has consistently voted for the phasing out of long-term tenancies to allow tenants to make a property a home.

Javid's stance on Capital Gains Tax, the Mansion Tax and Landlord regulation is specifically to allow private property investors, like himself, to continue to have an advantage over first time buyers and working class renters saving to own.

There have already been strong criticisms over Javid's conflict of interest in relation to housing.

Theresa May has shown that, whilst sneering at those who oppose her as being misinformed and wrong, she really has no idea.

A minister or Secretary of State should have some experience, or at least an interest, in the department they represent. Why are we not seeing Ex-Teachers heading up Education, or Ex-Doctors heading up Health and Social care? Because they would fight for the genuine improvement of those departments, not just for the life of the Conservative party.

From my personal point of view as a labour voter, I couldn't want anything more. What better way to showcase the talents of the amazing Emily Thornberry but to stand her opposite Boris Johnson? How Angela Rayner will shine, showing passion and drive for this Country's Education System, debating strategy consultant, Damian Hinds.

I just pray that the conservative cock-up that will precede Labour's government doesn't cost the country too dearly. With the further attacks on the NHS and DWP, the death toll is rising steadily.