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First Johnson ministry

Cabinet of the United Kingdom
July – December 2019
Johnson holding his first cabinet meeting
Date formed24 July 2019
Date dissolved16 December 2019
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Prime Minister's historyPremiership of Boris Johnson
First SecretaryDominic Raab
Ministers removed3 resigned
Member party
  •   Conservative Party
Status in legislature
Opposition cabinetCorbyn shadow cabinet
Opposition party
Opposition leaderJeremy Corbyn
History
Outgoing election2019 general election
Legislature terms2017–2019[note 1]
Incoming formation2019 Conservative leadership election
PredecessorSecond May ministry
SuccessorSecond Johnson ministry
This article is part of
a series about
Boris Johnson
Policies
Electoral history
Mayor of London
Foreign Secretary
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
First ministry and term
Second ministry and term
Post-premiership
Bibliography
In popular culture

The first Johnson ministry began on 24 July 2019 when Queen Elizabeth II invited Boris Johnson to form a new government, following the resignation of the predecessor Prime Minister Theresa May.[2] May had resigned as Leader of the Conservative Party on 7 June 2019; Johnson was elected as her successor on 23 July 2019. The Johnson ministry was formed from the 57th Parliament of the United Kingdom, as a Conservative minority government. It lost its working majority on 3 September 2019 when Tory MP Phillip Lee crossed the floor to the Liberal Democrats. An election was called for 12 December 2019, which led to the formation of a Conservative majority government, the second Johnson ministry.

History

[edit]

Theresa May announced on 24 May 2019 that she would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and therefore prime minister, after failing three times to secure passage through the House of Commons of her Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill, which would have seen the United Kingdom leave the European Union. Her announcement also followed the Conservative Party's very poor showing in the 2019 European Parliament elections in the UK. Her resignation as Conservative leader took effect on 7 June 2019.

The former London Mayor and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was elected to succeed May on 23 July 2019. He was appointed prime minister on the following day by Queen Elizabeth II. Johnson inherited a minority government, supported by a confidence and supply agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland.

Johnson appointed his cabinet on 24 July 2019, describing it as a "Cabinet for modern Britain",[3] with The Guardian branding it "an ethnically diverse but ideologically homogeneous statement of intent".[4] While forming his government, Johnson dismissed 11 senior ministers and accepted the resignation of six others, a purge described by Johnson's ally Nigel Evans as "not so much a reshuffle as a summer's day massacre".[5][6] The mass dismissal was the most extensive Cabinet reorganisation without a change in ruling party in postwar British political history, exceeding the seven Cabinet ministers dismissed in the "Night of the Long Knives" of 1962,[7] and was dubbed the "Night of the Blond Knives" by The Sun.[8]

Among other appointments, Johnson made Dominic Raab the First Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary, and appointed Sajid Javid and Priti Patel as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary respectively. Johnson increased the number of ministers attending the Cabinet to 33, four more than had attended the May Cabinet. One quarter of those appointed were women, proportionally less than the May and Cameron ministries. The Cabinet set a new record for ethnic minority representation, with four secretaries of state and two additional ministers coming from minority backgrounds; 17% of the Cabinet were from BAME backgrounds, compared to 14% of the UK population.[3] Nearly two-thirds of those appointed went to fee-paying schools, and almost half had attended Oxford or Cambridge universities.[3] Johnson also created a new ministerial title to be held by himself, Minister for the Union, fulfilling a campaign pledge he had made in the leadership election.[9]

Loss of majority and ministerial resignations

Johnson lost his working majority on 3 September 2019, when Phillip Lee crossed the floor to join the Liberal Democrats.[10][11] This was reduced further later the same day when 21 Conservative MPs had the whip removed after voting against the Government in order to enable Parliament to take control of the order paper and to debate a back bench bill designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit.[12]

On 5 September 2019, Johnson's brother and Orpington MP Jo Johnson announced his intention to resign both his ministerial position and parliamentary seat, stating "In recent weeks I've been torn between family loyalty and the national interest — it's an unresolvable tension & time for others to take on my roles as MP & Minister."[13] On 7 September 2019, Amber Rudd announced she was resigning as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Minister for Women and Equalities, and leaving the Conservative Party.[14]

Amid an impasse in parliament over Brexit, an election was called for 12 December 2019 by virtue of the passage of the Early Parliamentary General Election Act 2019 on 31 October 2019. The Conservatives won a majority, leading to the formation of the second Johnson ministry on 16 December 2019.

Cabinet

[edit]

July–December 2019

[edit]
First Johnson cabinet[15][16]
Portfolio Portrait Minister Term
Cabinet ministers
Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service
Minister for the Union
Commonwealth Chair-in-Office 		Boris Johnson 2019–2022
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Second Lord of the Treasury 		Sajid Javid
[17][18] 		2019–2020
First Secretary of State
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 		Dominic Raab
[19][20] 		2019–2021
Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel
[21][22] 		2019–2022
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove
[23] 		2019–2021
Secretary of State for Justice
Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain 		Robert Buckland
[24] 		2019–2021
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Steve Barclay
[25] 		2018–2020
Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace
[26] 		2019–2023
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock
[27] 		2018–2021
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Andrea Leadsom
[28] 		2019–2020
Secretary of State for International Trade
President of the Board of Trade 		Liz Truss
[29][30] 		2019–2021
Minister for Women and Equalities Sept 2019–2022
Amber Rudd
[31] 		2018 – Sept 2019
[32]
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Thérèse Coffey Sept 2019
–
Sept 2022
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson
[33] 		2019–2021
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Theresa Villiers
[34] 		2019–2020
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick
[35] 		2019–2021
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps
[36] 		2019–2022
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith
[37] 		2019–2020
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack
[38] 		2019–2024
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns
[39] 		2016 – November 2019
Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal 		Natalie Evans
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
[40] 		2016–2022
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan
[41] 		2019–2020
Secretary of State for International Development Alok Sharma
[42] 		2019–2020
Minister without Portfolio
Party Chairman 		James Cleverly
[43] 		2019–2020
Also attending cabinet meetings
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak
[44] 		2019–2020
Leader of the House of Commons
Lord President of the Council 		Jacob Rees-Mogg
[45] 		2019–2022
Chief Whip of the House of Commons
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury 		Mark Spencer
[46][47] 		2019–2022
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox
[48] 		2018–2020
Minister of State for Energy Kwasi Kwarteng
[49] 		2019–2021
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Paymaster General 		Oliver Dowden
[50] 		2019–2020
Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse Jake Berry
[51][52] 		2019–2020
Minister of State for Housing Esther McVey
[53] 		2019–2020
Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
and
Universities 		Jo Johnson
[54] 		July–Sept 2019
[55]
Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
and
International Development 		Zac Goldsmith Sept–Dec 2019
Minister of State for Security
Deputy for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation 		Brandon Lewis
[56] 		2019–2020

Changes

[edit]
  • Jo Johnson quit the government on 5 September 2019 and said that he would resign as an MP.[57] His spot in the cabinet was filled by Zac Goldsmith, who was made Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and at the Department for International Development on 10 September 2019.[58]
  • Amber Rudd resigned from the cabinet and from the Conservative Party on 7 September 2019.[14] She was replaced as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by Thérèse Coffey on 8 September 2019, and as Minister for Women and Equalities by Liz Truss on 10 September 2019.[59][60]
  • Alun Cairns resigned from his post of Welsh Secretary on 6 November 2019.[61]

List of ministers

[edit]
Minister in the House of Commons Minister in the House of Lords
Ministers who attend cabinet are listed in bold

Prime Minister and Cabinet Office

[edit]
Cabinet Office
Post Minister Term
Boris Johnson July 2019 – December 2019
Michael Gove July 2019 – December 2019
Natalie Evans July 2016 – December 2019
Minister without Portfolio James Cleverly
(unpaid; also Chairman of the Conservative Party) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Jacob Rees-Mogg July 2019 – December 2019
Oliver Dowden July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for Implementation) Simon Hart July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State (Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth) Jake Berry
(jointly with Housing, Communities and Local Government) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for the Constitution) Chloe Smith January 2018 – December 2019
Interim Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for the Constitution) Kevin Foster
(jointly with Wales Office and Whips Office) 		April 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) Johnny Mercer
(jointly with Defence) 		July 2019 – December 2019

Departments of State

[edit]
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Andrea Leadsom July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Business, Energy & Clean growth Kwasi Kwarteng July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research & Innovation Jo Johnson
(jointly with Education) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Chris Skidmore
(jointly with Education) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility Kelly Tolhurst July 2018 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Business & Industry Nadhim Zahawi July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Climate Change) Ian Duncan, Baron Duncan of Springbank
(jointly with Northern Ireland Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Defence
Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster July 2017 – December 2019
Minister of State for Defence Annabel Goldie, Baroness Goldie (unpaid) July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Defence Procurement) Anne-Marie Trevelyan July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) Johnny Mercer
(jointly with Cabinet Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Sport, Media and Creative Industries Nigel Adams July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts. Heritage and Tourism Rebecca Pow May 2019 – September 2019
Helen Whately September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital and Broadband Matt Warman July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Civil Society & DCMS) Diana Barran, Baroness Barran (Unpaid) July 2019 – December 2019
Education
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for School Standards Nick Gibb May 2015 – December 2019
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research & Innovation Jo Johnson
(jointly with BEIS) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Chris Skidmore
(jointly with BEIS) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children and Families) Kemi Badenoch July 2019 – December 2019
Michelle Donelan (Maternity Cover) September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the School System) Theodore Agnew, Baron Agnew of Oulton (unpaid) July 2019 – December 2019
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Theresa Villiers July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Environment and Rural Opportunity Thérèse Coffey July 2019 – September 2019
Rebecca Pow September 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food George Eustice July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Zac Goldsmith
(jointly with International Development) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Minister of State Zac Goldsmith
(jointly with International Development) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity) John Gardiner, Baron Gardiner of Kimble July 2019 – December 2019
Equalities Office
Minister for Women and Equalities Amber Rudd
(jointly with Work and Pensions) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Liz Truss
(jointly with International Trade) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State (Minister for Equalities) Susan Williams, Baroness Williams of Trafford
(jointly with Work and Pensions to September 2019, International Trade from September 2019) 		July 2016 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Women) Victoria Atkins
(jointly with Work and Pensions to September 2019, International Trade from September 2019) 		January 2018 – December 2019
Exiting the European Union
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Steve Barclay November 2018 – December 2019
Minister of State Martin Callanan, Baron Callanan October 2017 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State James Duddridge July 2019 – December 2019
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Dominic Raab July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Christopher Pincher July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Andrew Murrison
(jointly with International Development) 		May 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Africa Andrew Stephenson
(jointly with International Development) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for the Commonwealth, the UN and South Asia Tariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon June 2017 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Asia and the Pacific) Heather Wheeler July 2019 – December 2019
Health and Social Care
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock July 2018 – December 2019
Minister of State for Health Chris Skidmore July 2019 – September 2019
Edward Argar September 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Care Caroline Dinenage January 2018 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health & Primary Care Jo Churchill July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention & Patient Safety Nadine Dorries July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Nicola Blackwood, Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford January 2019 – December 2019
Home Office
Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel July 2019 – December 2019
Deputy Home Secretary and Minister of State for Security Brandon Lewis July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Crime, Policing & the Fire Service Kit Malthouse July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Countering Extremism Susan Williams, Baroness Williams of Trafford
(jointly with Equalities Office) 		July 2016 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability) Victoria Atkins
(jointly with Equalities Office) 		November 2017 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration Seema Kennedy July 2019 – December 2019
Housing, Communities & Local Government
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Housing Esther McVey July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth Jake Berry
(jointly with Cabinet Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government and Homelessness) Luke Hall July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Faith and Communities) James Younger, 5th Viscount Younger of Leckie July 2019 – December 2019
International Development
Secretary of State for International Development Alok Sharma July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for International Development Andrew Murrison
(jointly with the FCO) 		May 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State Andrew Stephenson
(jointly with the FCO) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Zac Goldsmith
(jointly with DEFRA) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Minister of State Zac Goldsmith
(jointly with DEFRA) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development Liz Sugg, Baroness Sugg July 2019 – December 2019
International Trade
Liz Truss
(also Minister for Women and Equalities from Sept 2019) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for International Trade Conor Burns July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Investment) Graham Stuart July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Women) Victoria Atkins
(also with Equalities) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Minister for Equalites Susan Williams, Baroness Williams of Trafford
(also with Equalities) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Justice
Robert Buckland July 2019 – December 2019
Advocate General for Scotland
Spokesperson for the Lords 		Richard Keen, Baron Keen of Elie May 2015 – December 2019
Minister of State for Prisons and Probation Lucy Frazer July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Wendy Morton July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Edward Argar June 2018 – September 2019
Chris Philp September 2019 – December 2019
Northern Ireland Office
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Minister for London) Nick Hurd July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Robin Walker
(jointly with Scotland Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ian Duncan, Baron Duncan of Springbank
(jointly with BEIS) 		October 2017 – December 2019
Scotland Office
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Colin Clark
(jointly with Whips Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Robin Walker
(jointly with Northern Ireland Office) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Transport
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Rail Chris Heaton-Harris July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for High Speed 2 George Freeman July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation & Maritime Nus Ghani
(jointly with Whips Office) 		January 2018 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Transport Paul Maynard July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads & Light Rail Baroness Vere of Norbiton July 2019 – December 2019
Treasury
Sajid Javid July 2019 – December 2019
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak July 2019 – December 2019
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman May 2019 – December 2019
Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Glen (Paid as a Parliamentary Secretary) January 2018 – December 2019
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke (Paid as a Parliamentary Secretary) July 2019 – December 2019
Wales Office
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns March 2016 – November 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Kevin Foster
(jointly with Cabinet Office until Oct 2019, and Whips Office) (unpaid) 		April 2019 – December 2019
Work and Pensions
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Amber Rudd
(jointly with Equalities Office) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Therese Coffey September 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work Justin Tomlinson April 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions and Financial Inclusion Guy Opperman June 2017 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Welfare Delivery Will Quince April 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment) Mims Davies July 2019 – December 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Work and Pensions) Deborah Stedman-Scott, Baroness Stedman-Scott July 2019 – December 2019
Minister of State for Equalities Susan Williams, Baroness Williams of Trafford
(jointly with Equalities Office) 		July 2019 – September 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Women) Victoria Atkins
(jointly with Equalities Office) 		July 2019 – September 2019

Law officers

[edit]
Attorney General's Office
Attorney General for England and Wales Geoffrey Cox July 2018 – December 2019
Solicitor General for England and Wales Michael Ellis
Suella Braverman on leave since March 2021 		July 2019 – December 2019
Office of the Advocate General
Advocate General for Scotland Richard Keen, Baron Keen of Elie May 2015 – December 2019

Parliament

[edit]
House Leaders
Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park July 2016 – December 2019
Jacob Rees-Mogg July 2019 – December 2019
Frederick Curzon, 7th Earl Howe (Unpaid) May 2015 – December 2019
House of Commons Whips
Mark Spencer July 2019 – December 2019
Amanda Milling July 2019 – December 2019
Jeremy Quin July 2019 – December 2019
Stuart Andrew July 2019 – December 2019
Colin Clark
(jointly with Scotland Office) (unpaid) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Michelle Donelan July 2019 – December 2019
Mike Freer July 2019 – December 2019
Rebecca Harris July 2019 – December 2019
David Rutley July 2019 – December 2019
Nus Ghani
(jointly with Transport) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Maggie Throup
(unpaid) 		September 2019 – December 2019
Assistant Whips Kevin Foster
(jointly with Cabinet Office until Oct 2019, and Wales) 		July 2019 – December 2019
Leo Docherty July 2019 – December 2019
Nigel Huddleston July 2019 – December 2019
Marcus Jones July 2019 – December 2019
James Morris July 2019 – December 2019
Tom Pursglove July 2019 – December 2019
Iain Stewart July 2019 – December 2019
House of Lords Whips
Henry Ashton, 4th Baron Ashton of Hyde July 2019 – December 2019
Patrick Stopford, 9th Earl of Courtown July 2016 – December 2019
Elizabeth Berridge, Baroness Berridge (unpaid) July 2019 – December 2019
Olivia Bloomfield, Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (unpaid) July 2019 – December 2019
George Young, Baron Young of Cookham July 2016 – August 2019
James Bethell, 5th Baron Bethell July 2019 – December 2019
Carlyn Chisholm, Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen August 2019 – December 2019

Departures from the first Johnson ministry

[edit]

This is a list of resignations from the first government formed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Since forming a government on 24 July 2019 after his appointment as prime minister, Johnson faced 4 resignations, including 2 cabinet ministers. This list omits sitting MPs who left the Conservative Party or had the whip withdrawn. It also discludes all ministers who resigned prior to Boris Johnson taking office as prime minister.

Minister

(Cabinet members shown in bold)

Office Date of resignation Reason
George Young, Baron Young of Cookham[note 2] Lord-in-waiting

Government whip

29 August 2019 Resigned in protest of Boris Johnson's plans to prorogue parliament.[62]
Jo Johnson Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation 5 September 2019 Stated he was "torn between family and national interest".[63]
Amber Rudd Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 7 September 2019 Resigned over Boris Johnson's "purge" of the party and his "failure" to pursue a deal with the EU.[64]
Alun Cairns Secretary of State for Wales 6 November 2019 Resigned following claims he had known about a former aide's role in the "sabotage" of a rape trial.[65]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

First Johnson ministry

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The First Johnson ministry was the executive branch of His Majesty's in the headed by from his appointment on 24 July 2019 until a on 13 February 2020. Johnson formed the ministry after winning the leadership of the Conservative Party amid a protracted impasse over the United Kingdom's under his predecessor, . The cabinet featured prominent advocates in senior roles, including as , as Foreign Secretary, and as , reflecting Johnson's commitment to delivering by the deadline of 31 October 2019, with or without a deal. The ministry's defining focus was resolving Brexit through renegotiation with the EU, culminating in a revised Withdrawal Agreement in October 2019 that replaced the controversial with a to prevent a hard border while addressing concerns over regulatory divergence. Facing parliamentary resistance, Johnson attempted to for five weeks to allow time for a new legislative agenda, but the unanimously ruled the prorogation unlawful, voiding it and criticizing the advice given to the Queen as an extreme measure that frustrated . Unable to secure approval for the deal without a working majority, the government extended the Brexit deadline and called a general election in December 2019, securing a landslide victory with 365 seats and an 80-seat majority, enabling passage of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. The United Kingdom formally withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020, marking the ministry's key achievement in fulfilling the 2016 referendum mandate after years of deadlock. The period also saw initial preparations for the COVID-19 pandemic, though major responses occurred post-reshuffle. The February 2020 reshuffle sacked several ministers, including Javid and Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, signaling a shift toward Johnson's preferred personnel for implementing post-Brexit policies.

Formation and Initial Setup

Conservative Leadership Election

The 2019 Conservative Party leadership election was initiated following Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement on 24 May 2019 that she would resign as party leader, effective 7 June, after failing to secure parliamentary approval for her Brexit withdrawal agreement after three attempts. May's departure stemmed from internal party divisions over Brexit, with her tenure marked by repeated defeats in the House of Commons and eroding support among Conservative MPs and members who prioritized a harder line on EU negotiations. The contest aimed to select a successor capable of resolving the Brexit impasse, with candidates emphasizing commitments to deliver the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, ideally without further delays. Nominations opened on 10 June 2019, with ten candidates securing the required support from at least 17 MPs or a motion from the : , , , , , , , , , and . The election process involved successive ballots among the 313 Conservative MPs to eliminate candidates until two remained, followed by a nationwide postal ballot of approximately 160,000 party members. , former Foreign Secretary and a prominent advocate, entered as the frontrunner, benefiting from strong grassroots support and endorsements from influential figures seeking a decisive approach to negotiations. The MP ballots proceeded as follows:
RoundDateBoris JohnsonJeremy HuntMichael GoveOther Key CandidatesEliminated
113 June 20191144337Dominic Raab (27), Sajid Javid (23), Matt Hancock (20), Rory Stewart (19)Andrea Leadsom (11), Mark Harper (10), Esther McVey (9); Hancock withdrew
218 June 20191264641Rory Stewart (37), Sajid Javid (33)Dominic Raab (30)
319 June 20191435451Sajid Javid (38)Rory Stewart (27)
420 June 2019 (AM)1575961-Sajid Javid (34)
520 June 2019 (PM)16077--Michael Gove (75)
Johnson maintained a commanding lead throughout, reflecting MP preferences for his no-deal readiness and negotiation stance, while Hunt positioned himself as a more conciliatory alternative. In the final members' , announced on 23 July 2019, Johnson secured 92,153 votes (66%) to Hunt's 77,332 (34%), with a turnout of about 87%. Johnson's victory was attributed to his appeal among the membership, who largely favored his pledge to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement or pursue a no-deal exit by the 31 October deadline, amid widespread frustration with prolonged uncertainty. This outcome positioned Johnson to assume the premiership, forming the first Johnson ministry focused on delivery.

Appointment as Prime Minister

Following his victory in the final round of the Conservative Party leadership election on 23 July 2019, where he secured 92,153 votes against Jeremy Hunt's 77,466 from party members, was appointed as the next day. On 24 July 2019, Johnson was received in audience by Queen Elizabeth II at , where she formally invited him to form a new administration as and . He accepted Her Majesty's commission and kissed hands upon his appointment, marking the traditional ceremonial conclusion of the transition from Theresa May's premiership. This appointment occurred without a , as per constitutional convention, since Johnson's party held a parliamentary ; the appoints the leader of the party commanding the confidence of the . May had tendered her to the Queen earlier that day after formally stepping down as Conservative leader, enabling the seamless handover. Johnson subsequently proceeded to , where he delivered a speech outlining his priorities, including delivering by the 31 October deadline.

Cabinet Appointments and Rationale

conducted a comprehensive immediately upon becoming on 24 July 2019, dismissing over half of the ministers from Theresa May's outgoing administration. This included the removal of key figures such as Chancellor , Justice Secretary , and Business Secretary , who had publicly opposed the prospect of a no-deal . The reshuffle resulted in 17 new appointments to the 22-member cabinet, with official announcements spanning 24 to 30 July 2019.
PositionAppointee
(24 July)
Foreign Secretary and (24 July)
(24 July)
(No-deal preparations) (24 July)
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (retained, 24 July)
Ben Wallace (25 July)
(25 July)
The primary rationale for these appointments was to forge a unified team dedicated to achieving by the revised deadline of 31 2019, including readiness for a no-deal scenario if negotiations failed. Johnson selected staunch supporters and personal allies, such as Raab, who had previously led , and , a vocal advocate for leaving the EU, to ensure internal cohesion and momentum on the issue. This approach sidelined potential internal dissenters, prioritizing loyalty and ideological alignment over continuity from the May era. Additional considerations included enhancing ethnic diversity, with Javid's elevation to marking the first time a British Asian held the role, alongside appointments like as the second female . Johnson described the lineup as a "Cabinet for modern Britain," emphasizing competence and readiness to address post- challenges like economic strategy and domestic policy renewal. However, critics noted the emphasis on Brexit hardliners risked alienating moderate Conservatives and lacked balance in parliamentary experience among some newcomers.

Brexit Focus and Parliamentary Battles

Renegotiation of Withdrawal Agreement

Upon assuming office on 24 July 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson prioritized altering the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated under his predecessor, Theresa May, particularly the Irish backstop provision, which he viewed as incompatible with UK sovereignty by potentially trapping the United Kingdom in a customs union indefinitely. On 19 August 2019, Johnson formally requested the European Union to renegotiate the agreement by writing to European Council President Donald Tusk, urging the removal of the backstop and emphasizing the need for alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland while enabling the UK to control its own trade policy. The initially rebuffed Johnson's demand for outright renegotiation, with stating on 20 August 2019 that the backstop was essential and non-negotiable, though he acknowledged the UK's concerns and left room for discussions on . Despite this stance, bilateral talks progressed, culminating in Johnson's proposal on 2 2019 for a new protocol on and , which would keep aligned with certain rules for goods to prevent border checks while allowing the rest of the to diverge. This approach, developed in negotiations including a 10 2019 meeting between Johnson and Irish , replaced the backstop with time-limited dual regulatory zones and customs arrangements. On 17 October 2019, the and reached agreement on a revised Withdrawal Agreement, incorporating the as the backstop's successor, alongside an updated Political Declaration on future relations. The protocol stipulated that would remain in the 's for goods and be subject to EU customs rules for goods destined there, with checks on goods moving from to to enforce compliance, aiming to uphold the 1998 without physical border infrastructure. This renegotiation reflected Johnson's strategy of leveraging the 31 October 2019 deadline—later extended—to secure concessions, though the deal faced immediate scrutiny over potential internal trade barriers.

No-Deal Preparations and Threats

Upon assuming office on 24 July 2019, directed an acceleration of preparations for a potential no-deal departure from the on the scheduled date of 31 October 2019, including enhanced contingency planning across government departments. This involved allocating additional resources to mitigate disruptions, such as border delays and interruptions, with the government emphasizing operational readiness despite ongoing negotiations. Central to these efforts was , the cross-government framework for no-deal scenarios, which outlined "reasonable worst-case" assumptions including up to three months of severe port disruptions, shortages of certain food supplies and medicines, and potential increases in by up to 5.9%. A leaked internal assessment in August 2019 highlighted risks of civil unrest, a "meltdown" at ports, and disruptions to just-in-time supply chains for essentials like fuel and medical isotopes. The full document was published on 11 September 2019 following parliamentary pressure, detailing expected delays in goods clearance, increased demand on public services, and societal risks like disorder in the event of shortages, though ministers stressed it represented planning assumptions rather than predictions. Preparations extended to practical measures, including directives for pharmaceutical companies to up to six weeks of critical medicines and the recruitment of additional customs staff to handle an estimated 50% drop in cross-Channel freight capacity. The government also facilitated public and stockpiling of food, fuel, and non-perishables, with surveys indicating that by August 2019, approximately one in five Britons had spent an average of £380 on such goods amid fears of price hikes and availability issues. Johnson publicly affirmed the UK's preparedness on 12 September 2019, stating that the country was "ready and prepared" for no-deal outcomes irrespective of Yellowhammer's warnings. In parallel, Johnson employed the prospect of no-deal as leverage in negotiations, repeatedly signaling willingness to exit without an agreement to compel concessions on the and withdrawal terms. chief negotiator responded in July 2019 that such threats would not alter the 's position, warning that the would bear the full consequences of crashing out. This rhetoric intensified domestic and international tensions, with the strategy aimed at demonstrating resolve but criticized by opponents as that heightened economic uncertainty.

Parliamentary Resistance and Votes

Following Boris Johnson's appointment as on 24 July 2019, his —further weakened by Liberal Democrat MP Phillip Lee's on 3 September, reducing the working to zero—faced immediate opposition to its no-deal preparations from a cross-party alliance of Labour, SNP, Liberal Democrats, and Conservative rebels. On 3 September, MPs passed Oliver Letwin's amendment to a motion by 328 votes to 301, stipulating that could not be prorogued or adjourned until either a deal was legislated or a no-deal exit approved by the House; this relied on 21 Conservative , prompting Johnson to expel those MPs from the . The Letwin amendment enabled MPs to seize control of the on 4 September, defeating a motion to an EU extension request by 328 votes to 301 and passing the second reading of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Bill—later the Benn Act—by 354 to 243, with 14 rebels. A subsequent programme motion to expedite the bill's passage failed 301 to 298, prolonging and underscoring resistance to rushed no-deal timelines. The bill advanced to third reading on 6 September, passing 327 to 299, and received on 9 September, legally obligating the to request an Article 50 extension from the by 19 October if no withdrawal agreement or no-deal vote was secured by 31 October. Johnson's counter-moves, including two failed attempts to trigger an early under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act—first on 4 (298 ayes to 70 noes, with opposition parties conditioning support on blocking no-deal) and second on 9 (293 to 46)—highlighted the , as MPs prioritized anti-no-deal safeguards over electoral relief. These votes reflected broader parliamentary skepticism toward Johnson's renegotiation claims, with rebels citing inadequate progress on EU talks and risks of economic disruption from an unmanaged exit.

Prorogation Controversy

Decision and Implementation

On 28 August 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally advised Queen Elizabeth II to prorogue Parliament, recommending a suspension from a date between 9 and 12 September until 14 October 2019, which amounted to approximately five weeks. The advice was conveyed through three members of the Privy Council—Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mark Spencer, and Michael Gove—who presented the request to the Queen at Balmoral Castle, following established convention where the monarch acts on the Prime Minister's recommendation without discretion. This prorogation extended beyond the typical summer recess, aiming to end the current parliamentary session and prepare for a new one commencing with a Queen's Speech on 14 October. The decision originated from Johnson's strategy to limit parliamentary scrutiny over ahead of the 31 withdrawal deadline, as the government lacked a and faced opposition to a no-deal exit. Johnson publicly stated the would enable a "new legislative agenda" focused on domestic priorities, while privately, aides including emphasized curbing legislative interference. Upon receiving the advice, the Queen granted via an , formalizing the without public commentary, in line with her constitutional role. Implementation proceeded swiftly: , already in recess, was scheduled to reconvene briefly on 3 September but instead effective 9 or 10 September, halting all proceedings including bills and debates until the new session. No new laws could advance during this period, and the Speaker of the announced the prorogation on 10 September 2019, with ceremonial elements including the sending of to suspend sittings. The government's rationale emphasized routine session renewal, though critics immediately contested the timing as an attempt to evade accountability on extensions or alternatives. The prorogation of , advised by Prime Minister on 27 August 2019 and formally ordered by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 August, was immediately challenged in both English and Scottish courts on grounds that it unlawfully prevented parliamentary scrutiny during the Brexit deadline period. In England, sought , arguing the decision frustrated Parliament's constitutional functions; the dismissed the claim on 11 2019, deeming it non-justiciable as a matter of high policy and convention. Concurrently in Scotland, and others contended the was motivated by an improper purpose to stifle on withdrawal; the Outer House of the ruled it unlawful on 6 , a decision upheld by the Inner House on 11 despite government appeals. The conflicting lower court rulings prompted expedited appeals to the UK Supreme Court, which consolidated the cases as R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General, hearing arguments from 17 to 19 September 2019 before all 11 justices. On 24 September 2019, the Court delivered a unanimous judgment declaring the unlawful, null, and of no effect, holding that while is a prerogative power exercised on ministerial advice, it must comply with fundamental constitutional principles including and the accountability of the executive to . The justices reasoned that the five-week suspension—far exceeding typical durations—had the extreme effect of preventing from sitting for over a month at a pivotal moment when it needed to address legislation and hold the government accountable, without any reasonable justification provided. They rejected claims of non-justiciability, affirming courts' role in reviewing prerogative actions for legality when they impinge on democratic functions. The ruling emphasized that the unlawfulness stemmed not from inferred motives but from the prorogation's actual consequences, which frustrated 's ability to function without compelling reason, thereby breaching the . As a result, was deemed never to have been prorogued, resuming business immediately on 25 2019 under the Speaker's direction, with no need for further royal proclamation. The decision underscored limits on executive power but avoided prescribing political solutions, leaving to parliamentary and electoral processes.

Political Repercussions

The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling on 24 September 2019 declared Boris Johnson's advice to prorogue unlawful, void, and of no effect, prompting to reconvene the following day. This decision nullified the five-week suspension intended to limit legislative scrutiny during the deadline, restoring parliamentary functions without interruption to the 2017–2019 session. Johnson responded by expressing disagreement with the judgment, describing as a non-justiciable power rooted in centuries of , while committing to respect the outcome and proceed with a Queen's Speech on 14 October. Opposition leaders, including Labour's , demanded Johnson's resignation, accusing him of misleading the public and the Queen to evade accountability on . Legal challengers and echoed calls for his immediate departure, framing the ruling as a rebuke to executive overreach, while protests erupted outside and some Conservative MPs, like Steve Baker, advocated for a to resolve the impasse. The ruling enabled to intensify opposition to a no-deal , frustrating Johnson's strategy to curtail debate and facilitating votes that reinforced the (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019's requirements for seeking an extension if no agreement was reached by 19 . Government motions on policy subsequently failed, highlighting Johnson's minority position and prompting a shorter prorogation from 8 to 14 solely to end the session formally. Despite these defeats, Johnson's administration avoided collapse, as a poll immediately following the judgment showed 49% public agreement with the court versus 30% disagreement, though 43% believed he should resign; Conservative polling leads over Labour persisted at around 12 points. Longer-term, the controversy underscored tensions between executive prerogative and , establishing judicial oversight that prorogations must not unjustifiably impede Parliament's core functions, and reigniting debates on codifying such powers statutorily. While damaging Johnson's image among remainers and centrists, it arguably solidified support among hardliners who viewed the court as part of an anti-democratic , contributing to the government's pivot toward a December general election where it secured a .

2019 General Election

Campaign Strategy and Key Promises

The Conservative Party's campaign for the December 12, 2019, general election, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centered on the slogan "Get Brexit Done," which encapsulated the pledge to resolve the protracted Brexit impasse by legislating the revised Withdrawal Agreement without further delays or extensions. This strategy positioned the election as a binary choice between delivering Johnson's October 17, 2019, deal with the European Union—securing the UK's exit by January 31, 2020—and the perceived risk of indefinite parliamentary gridlock under opposition parties, particularly Labour's ambiguous stance on a potential second referendum. Johnson mandated that all Conservative candidates publicly endorse his Brexit deal, reinforcing party unity and framing dissent as a threat to national resolution. The campaign targeted "Red Wall" constituencies in and the —traditional Labour strongholds that had voted to Leave the in —by emphasizing post- investment in deprived areas under a "levelling up" agenda, contrasting this with accusations that Labour would prioritize alignment over domestic renewal. Johnson employed high-visibility tactics, including rallies, videos, and selective media engagements, while minimizing exposure to unscripted scrutiny, such as evading some television debates or using props like a to deflect questions. Polling data indicated that 72% of eventual Conservative voters prioritized completing , underscoring the slogan's effectiveness in eclipsing broader policy debates and appealing to voter fatigue with three years of uncertainty. Key manifesto pledges, outlined in the November 24, 2019, document Get Brexit Done: Unleash Britain's Potential, extended beyond to domestic priorities:
  • Brexit implementation: Pass the Withdrawal Agreement into law by the end of 2019, transition to a Canada-style deal with the , end free movement, and introduce an Australian-style , with no extension of negotiating deadlines.
  • NHS funding and staffing: Increase health spending by £34 billion in real terms over five years (rising to 3.4% annually), recruit 50,000 additional nurses, 6,000 more general practitioners, and 18,000 other frontline staff, while building or upgrading 40 hospitals and adding 34,000 new hospital beds.
  • Law and order: Hire 20,000 additional police officers, 10,000 staff, and 10,000 prison places to address rising crime and backlogged courts.
  • Economic and regional development: No increases in , VAT, or ; establish a £5 billion Towns Fund for infrastructure in 100 left-behind towns; invest £22 billion in social care reforms; and commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by 2040.
These commitments were presented as unlocked by Brexit's resolution, allowing focus on "unleashing Britain's potential" through targeted public spending without tax hikes, though critics noted reliance on optimistic growth projections.

Results and Shift in Parliamentary Majority

The 2019 United Kingdom general election, held on 12 December 2019, resulted in a decisive victory for the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson, securing 365 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. This represented a net gain of 48 seats compared to the 317 seats won in the 2017 election, translating to an 80-seat overall majority after accounting for the 326 seats required for a simple majority. The party's vote share rose to 43.6%, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2017, with 13,966,454 votes cast in its favour. Labour, led by Jeremy Corbyn, suffered its worst defeat since 1935, winning 202 seats—a loss of 47 from 2017—and 32.1% of the vote share, down 8.0 points to 10,269,051 votes. Other major parties included the with 48 seats (down 7), the Liberal Democrats with 11 (down 2), and the with 8 (down 2). stood at 67.3%, the lowest since 2001, with 47.6 million eligible voters.
PartySeats WonChange from 2017Vote Share (%)Votes
Conservative365+4843.613,966,454
Labour202-4732.110,269,051
Scottish National Party48-73.91,242,380
Liberal Democrats11-211.53,696,419
Democratic Unionist Party8-20.9181,135
This outcome marked a significant shift from the hung parliament following the 2017 election, where the Conservatives had formed a minority government reliant on a confidence-and-supply agreement with the DUP's 10 seats to reach 327 votes, often facing defeats on Brexit-related legislation. The new majority eliminated such dependencies, providing Johnson with unencumbered control to legislate on Brexit withdrawal and domestic priorities without opposition vetoes or amendments diluting government bills. Conservative gains were concentrated in former Labour "Red Wall" constituencies in northern England and the Midlands, reflecting voter prioritization of Brexit delivery over other issues. The result was the largest Tory majority since Margaret Thatcher's 1987 victory, stabilizing the First Johnson ministry's legislative agenda through the end of the parliament.

Post-Election Adjustments

Immediate Policy Implementation

The Johnson government, bolstered by an 80-seat parliamentary majority following the 12 December , immediately directed its legislative efforts toward fulfilling the central pledge of completing by 31 January 2020. On 19 December 2019, the featured the Queen's Speech, which presented 26 bills prioritizing the ratification of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement through the (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill. This legislation aimed to implement the negotiated deal, end ongoing uncertainty, and transition the out of the while preserving provisions for under the protocol. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 19 December 2019 and expedited through readings, leveraging the Conservative majority to overcome prior opposition delays. Amendments, including protections for EU citizens' rights and safeguards against extending the transition period without parliamentary approval, were incorporated during Commons scrutiny from 20 December to 8 January 2020. The bill passed its third reading on 9 January 2020, proceeded to the House of Lords, and returned to the Commons for final approval on 22 January, securing royal assent on 23 January 2020—just eight days before the withdrawal deadline. This rapid passage marked the formal exit of the UK from the EU at 11:00 p.m. on 31 January 2020, initiating a transition period until 31 December 2020 during which EU law continued to apply. Parallel to Brexit, the government tabled supporting measures in the Queen's Speech to address post-withdrawal priorities, including the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, introduced in early 2020, to dismantle free movement and introduce a points-based system favoring skills, salary thresholds (starting at £30,000 for most roles), and proficiency, effective from 1 January 2021. Initial administrative preparations, such as consultations on visa routes for EU citizens, commenced in January 2020 under . Domestic policy implementation began with budgetary signals rather than full enactment, as the focus remained on stabilization. The Speech reaffirmed commitments, such as guaranteeing NHS spending growth at 3.4% annually in real terms (equating to an extra £34 billion by 2023/24) and recruiting 20,000 additional police officers over three years, with recruitment drives and funding allocations outlined in the provisional Autumn on 6 2019 and reiterated post-election. However, substantive rollouts, including the Police Uplift Programme's first 6,000 hires targeted for 2020/21, awaited the comprehensive delayed until autumn 2020 amid emerging pressures. Legislative vehicles like the Domestic Abuse Bill and Sentencing Bill advanced in , aiming to strengthen victim protections and sentencing powers, respectively, with the former receiving in April 2021 after amendments. These actions reflected a strategic emphasis on delivering electoral promises amid a compressed timeline, with the majority enabling overrides of customary delays, though critics noted limited substantive domestic progress before the redirected resources in March 2020.

February 2020 Reshuffle

The February 2020 reshuffle began on 13 February 2020 with the unexpected resignation of , who refused Boris Johnson's demand to dismiss all his special advisers and replace them with personnel controlled by No. . This move stemmed from tensions between the and Johnson's advisers, particularly , over influence on implementation. Javid's departure highlighted Johnson's intent to centralize power in to advance post-Brexit and domestic agendas without departmental resistance. Rishi Sunak, previously , was immediately appointed as the new , marking his rapid ascent in the government. The reshuffle proceeded with the dismissal of four cabinet ministers: Geoffrey Cox, Business Secretary , Environment Secretary , and Secretary Julian Smith. Baroness also left her role as . These changes reduced the number of women in the full cabinet from seven to six. Key appointments included Alok Sharma as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Oliver Dowden as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; George Eustice as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and Brandon Lewis as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The reshuffle emphasized loyalty to Johnson's program, with many incoming ministers being close allies or less independent figures, facilitating coordinated execution of policies like leveling up and regulatory reform.
PositionOutgoing MinisterIncoming Minister
Chancellor of the Exchequer (resigned)
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (sacked)
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (sacked)
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandJulian Smith (sacked)
Attorney GeneralGeoffrey Cox (sacked)

Cabinet Composition and Changes

Initial Cabinet (July 2019)

Boris appointed his initial cabinet on 24 July 2019, shortly after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a following his election as Leader of the Conservative Party and the resignation of . The appointments emphasized Johnson's preference for supporters and loyal allies, with many holdovers from May's administration replaced by figures aligned with his "no deal" stance if necessary. Johnson described the lineup as a "Cabinet for modern Britain," highlighting its ethnic diversity, including four full cabinet members from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds—a record proportion of 17% at the time—and a higher number of women in full cabinet roles compared to May's final cabinet. Notable appointments included as , marking the first time a British Asian held the role, as —the first British Indian and Hindu in that position—and as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and , functioning as . returned as Chancellor of the , overseeing the no-deal preparations, while 's role underscored the prioritization of delivery on . Other key posts went to Brexiteers such as at Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Elizabeth Truss at . The cabinet also featured regional secretaries like for and for , maintaining continuity in devolved matters. The full initial cabinet comprised 22 members, as listed below:
PortfolioMinister
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the UnionRt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Chancellor of the ExchequerRt Hon Sajid Javid MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of StateRt Hon Dominic Raab MP
Secretary of State for the Home DepartmentRt Hon Priti Patel MP
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterRt Hon Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State for Exiting the European UnionRt Hon Stephen Barclay MP
Secretary of State for DefenceRt Hon Ben Wallace MP
Secretary of State for Health and Social CareRt Hon Matt Hancock MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyRt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP
Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of TradeRt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Minister for Women and EqualitiesRt Hon Amber Rudd MP
Secretary of State for EducationRt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsRt Hon Theresa Villiers MP
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentRt Hon Robert Jenrick MP
Secretary of State for TransportRt Hon Grant Shapps MP
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandRt Hon Julian Smith MP
Secretary of State for ScotlandRt Hon Alister Jack MP
Secretary of State for WalesRt Hon Alun Cairns MP
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and SportRt Hon Nicky Morgan MP
Secretary of State for International DevelopmentRt Hon Alok Sharma MP
Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of LordsRt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of CommonsRt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP
Several ministers attended cabinet without full membership, including as and as . This composition reflected Johnson's strategy to consolidate power among supporters ahead of the deadline on 31 October 2019, though critics noted persistent overrepresentation of privately and alumni ministers relative to the general population.

Key Departures and Reshuffles (July 2019–February 2020)

In early September 2019, amid parliamentary rebellion against the government's no-deal stance, two cabinet-level ministers departed. On 5 September, resigned as for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, stating that an "unresolvable tension" had arisen between family loyalty to his brother, the Prime Minister, and the national interest over policy. On 7 September, resigned as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, condemning the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs who voted to block a no-deal exit as "political vandalism" and an erosion of party and democratic principles. These exits followed the vote on 3 September to seize control of the legislative agenda, prompting several junior ministers to resign in solidarity but leaving the senior cabinet intact beyond these cases. No comprehensive reshuffle occurred until after the Conservative victory in the 12 December 2019 general election, which delivered Johnson a majority of 80 seats. On 13 February 2020, Johnson initiated his first major cabinet reorganization to assert control and promote loyalists. Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid resigned mid-process, reportedly after refusing to relinquish authority over his special advisers to the Prime Minister's team, paving the way for Rishi Sunak's rapid elevation to the role. Other notable departures included Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, dismissed amid tensions over policy alignment; Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, sacked for perceived insufficient loyalty during Brexit negotiations; Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, removed despite acclaim for restoring Stormont devolution in January 2020; and Minister without Portfolio Esther McVey, axed as part of broader junior-level changes. Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and junior minister Chris Skidmore also exited, with the reshuffle affecting approximately 45% of ministerial positions overall. The February moves replaced moderates with figures seen as more aligned with Johnson's agenda, including as Business Secretary and as Secretary, signaling a shift toward centralized control post-election. These changes occurred without formal sackings announced for most, but reports indicated abrupt terminations, contributing to perceptions of a "brutal" overhaul.

Policy Achievements

Delivery of Brexit

Upon entering office on 24 July 2019, committed to completing by the 31 October 2019 deadline, ruling out further extensions and preparing contingencies for a no-deal scenario. His government sought to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement negotiated under , particularly by eliminating the provision, which had been rejected by three times. Negotiations with the resulted in a revised agreement on 17 October 2019, replacing the backstop with the , under which would remain aligned with certain rules to avoid a hard border on the island of , while would diverge from the single market and . Parliamentary opposition, including cross-party alliances and procedural maneuvers such as the Letwin amendment on 22 2019 that blocked progression of the bill without a confirmed deal, prevented before the deadline. The (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019, passed on 24 September, compelled the government to request an extension if no agreement was reached by 19 , leading Johnson to submit a request on 19 —though he accompanied it with a separate letter expressing opposition—which the EU granted as a "flextension" until 31 2020 on 28 . An attempt to prorogue from 28 August to 14 was declared unlawful by the on 24 September, limiting the government's ability to bypass legislative scrutiny. To break the deadlock, Johnson pursued a through the Early Parliamentary General Election Act, securing on 6 November 2019 after opposition parties inadvertently enabled its passage. The election on 12 December 2019 delivered a Conservative majority of 80 seats (365 total), fulfilling Johnson's "get done" pledge and marginalizing anti-no-deal factions. With parliamentary arithmetic in his favor, the (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill was introduced on 19 December 2019, passed second reading on 20 December by 358 to 254 votes, completed committee stage and third reading on 9 January 2020, and received on 23 January 2020. The Act implemented the revised withdrawal agreement, providing for an implementation period until 31 December 2020 during which EU law continued to apply, with negotiations for a future trade deal ongoing. The formally withdrew from the at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020, marking the end of 47 years of membership and transitioning into the implementation phase. This outcome reflected Johnson's strategy of leveraging electoral mandate to override prior legislative resistance, contrasting with May's repeated defeats on her deal, though it deferred full divergence from EU structures until after the transition period.

Domestic and Economic Initiatives

The Johnson government prioritized reversing through targeted increases in public spending on frontline services. In August 2019, Johnson announced an additional £1.8 billion for NHS frontline services in , including £1 billion immediately available for equipment upgrades and hospital improvements to address immediate pressures on patient care. The September 2019 further committed to real-terms growth in day-to-day departmental spending by an average of 0.9% for 2020-21, with specific uplifts for health (3.4% increase), schools (£2.4 billion extra), and policing to support recruitment drives. These allocations aimed to fund core public services without broad tax rises at the time, reflecting a shift toward fiscal expansion post-Brexit delivery. Policing received particular emphasis, with a manifesto pledge to recruit 20,000 additional officers over three years backed by £45 million in 2019-20 for initial hiring and training. This initiative sought to reverse declines in police numbers, which had fallen by around 21,000 full-time equivalents since 2010, through enhanced funding for visible patrols and community safety. By early 2020, recruitment had begun, with projections for up to 2,000 officers joining in the first year, though full realization depended on subsequent budgets. A cornerstone domestic policy was the "levelling up" agenda, introduced to mitigate regional economic disparities outside London and the South East. Formalized in the February 2022 white paper, it outlined 12 missions targeting productivity, skills, infrastructure, and health outcomes by 2030, including devolving powers to local leaders and investing in deprived areas via funds like the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund announced in 2020. Earlier steps included reallocating £640 million from EU structural funds post-Brexit and prioritizing infrastructure projects such as road and rail upgrades in northern England. The policy emphasized causal links between underinvestment and stagnation, aiming for measurable convergence in living standards rather than mere redistribution. On immigration, the government implemented a points-based system effective from January 2021, replacing free movement with the . This required migrants for skilled work to score 70 points based on a qualifying job offer (20 points), salary threshold (typically £25,600 minimum, or higher for certain roles), proficiency (10 points), and skill level at RQF3 or above (20 points), with tradeable points for factors like PhD qualifications or shortage occupations. The system prioritized higher-skilled inflows to support economic needs while curbing low-skilled migration, with exemptions for intra-company transfers and global talent visas; net migration data post-implementation showed a shift toward non- sources, though overall numbers remained elevated due to student and humanitarian routes. Economically, initiatives focused on post-austerity growth through capital investment and productivity enhancement. The 2019 boosted overall capital departmental spending by £1.7 billion in 2020-21, supporting like and to drive long-term output. Johnson articulated a vision for a "high-wage, high-skill, high-productivity" , linking it to freedoms such as regulatory reform and trade deals covering over £760 billion in potential exports by late 2021. However, fiscal rules allowed borrowing for investment while restraining current spending elsewhere, with early outcomes including stabilized net borrowing amid global shocks.

Criticisms and Controversies

Accusations of Authoritarianism

Critics, including opposition politicians and groups, accused the Johnson government of tendencies through its use of executive prerogatives to circumvent parliamentary scrutiny during the process. On 28 August 2019, Johnson requested the of from approximately 9 September to 14 October, a period coinciding with key , which opponents argued was designed to limit legislative debate and oversight. The unanimously ruled on 24 September 2019 that the was unlawful, as it prevented from functioning effectively without reasonable justification, thereby frustrating its constitutional role in holding the executive accountable. Johnson rejected claims of leading an "authoritarian regime," asserting the move aligned with standard procedural practices to prepare a new legislative agenda. Further accusations arose from legislative efforts perceived as undermining legal norms and international commitments. The Internal Market Bill, introduced on 9 September 2020, contained clauses empowering ministers to override aspects of the , including on customs checks; the government explicitly acknowledged on 14 September 2020 that specific provisions would breach , though it maintained this was necessary to safeguard sovereignty and prevent a regulatory within the country. Critics, including former Prime Minister , labeled this an assault on the , arguing it normalized executive disregard for treaties and judicial oversight. The controversial clauses were later withdrawn in December 2020 amid negotiations, but the episode fueled claims of eroding constitutional checks. Domestic security measures intensified these charges. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, published in May 2021, expanded police authority to impose conditions on "noisy" or disruptive protests, including static demonstrations near , which human rights organizations contended threatened freedom of expression and assembly by prioritizing public order over dissent. The bill faced amendments and delays in the , with 22 crossbench peers voting against it in October 2021, citing risks to amid heightened activism on issues like . Proponents, including , defended it as a targeted response to disorder following events like the 2020 protests and disruptions, rather than a blanket suppression of rights. In the context of the , emergency powers under the enabled strict lockdowns from March 2020, with police enforcement of and fines for violations, prompting some commentators to decry centralized control overriding individual liberties. However, evidence from the in May 2025 revealed Johnson advocated for a "ruthless, approach" to non-compliance with self-isolation rules, including incentives or penalties, though he resisted broader lockdowns due to economic concerns. These measures, while temporary and subject to parliamentary renewal every six months, were contrasted by defenders with similar restrictions in peer democracies, attributing criticisms to partisan opposition rather than systemic , as evidenced by the government's to a free press and . Despite such rebukes, no formal suspension of elections or occurred, and institutional safeguards like the Supreme Court's intervention demonstrated the resilience of democratic norms against executive overreach.

Internal Party Conflicts and Purges

Upon assuming the premiership on 24 July 2019, initiated a that removed over half of Theresa May's ministers, targeting perceived rivals and supporters of softer positions, including Jeremy Hunt's backers, to consolidate control and prioritize no-deal preparations. This move exacerbated intra-party tensions between hardline Brexiteers and those favoring extended negotiations, as Johnson sought to enforce discipline on delivering by the 31 October deadline. The most significant purge occurred on 3 September 2019, when the Conservative withdrew the parliamentary from 21 MPs who defied the government by supporting an opposition motion allowing time for to prevent a no-deal on 31 October. Among the expelled were eight former ministers, including Chancellors and Ken Clarke, as well as , grandson of , and , reflecting a targeted removal of high-profile dissenters seen as obstructing Johnson's mandate to conclude without further delays. This action, the largest single expulsion of Conservative MPs in modern history, reduced Johnson's working majority to a but signaled a of anti-no-deal elements to realign the parliamentary party with voter demands for completion. In parallel, Johnson allies issued threats of local constituency deselections against rebels to deter further defiance, with government whips warning MPs of potential replacement by pro-Brexit candidates ahead of any snap election. Dominic Grieve, a vocal critic of no-deal, had already faced deselection pressure from his Beaconsfield Conservative Association, losing a no-confidence vote by 182 to 131 on 29 March 2019, though he retained candidacy initially; post-expulsion, he stood as an independent in the December 2019 election and lost the seat. These measures, while not resulting in widespread formal deselections before the election, pressured many rebels into retirement or alignment, enabling Johnson to reshape the party toward harder Brexit stances. By 29 October 2019, the was restored to 10 of the expelled MPs, including former ministers like and , after they met with Johnson and pledged support for revised terms, illustrating a pragmatic reintegration for compliant figures amid evolving parliamentary dynamics. However, core rebels such as Grieve and Soames remained sidelined, with contributing to the party's electoral strategy by marginalizing internal opposition and facilitating a in December 2019 that expelled most remaining dissenters via voter rejection. This episode highlighted deep -induced fractures but also Johnson's success in enforcing unity through decisive internal discipline.

Media and Opposition Narratives

The Labour Party, under leader , portrayed Boris Johnson's initial approach to as reckless and economically damaging, accusing the government of pursuing a "no-deal" outcome that would harm working-class communities despite Johnson's assurances of an Australia-style trade deal with the EU. Corbyn's Labour repeatedly labeled Johnson's strategy as divisive, claiming it split the Conservative Party and sought to "divide the country" to force through without parliamentary scrutiny, particularly following the suspension of 21 MPs' whips in September 2019. Opposition figures, including shadow Brexit secretary , hailed Scottish court rulings against as a "victory for ," framing the five-week parliamentary suspension advised on August 28, 2019, as an authoritarian ploy to evade debate on extensions ahead of the October 31 deadline. Mainstream media outlets, such as —which has been criticized for systemic left-leaning bias in its editorial stance—amplified these opposition claims by depicting Johnson's request to the Queen as a "secret shutdown plan" sparking national uproar and motivated by political self-interest rather than routine legislative reset. Coverage in emphasized the Supreme Court's September 24, 2019, unanimous ruling that the was unlawful, interpreting it as evidence of Johnson's contempt for constitutional norms and a desperate bid to dominate the narrative amid internal party revolts. The , while providing factual reporting on the parliamentary suspension approved by the Queen on August 28, 2019, and the subsequent hearing, often contextualized events through opposition lenses, highlighting accusations of Johnson's "explosive" tactics to suspend and limit challenges, though it noted the device's historical use for ending sessions briefly. Post the December 12, 2019, general election—where Johnson's Conservatives secured an 80-seat majority on a "Get Done" platform—opposition narratives shifted to decry the government's legislative push, with Labour MPs like Corbyn accusing Johnson of betraying voters by embedding a Canada-style deal that allegedly favored corporations over labor protections, despite six Labour MPs defying whips to support the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on December 20, 2019. Media critiques persisted into early 2020, with framing Johnson's first-year milestones, including the election win, as overshadowed by "toxic" governance and unfulfilled promises, downplaying empirical successes like the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement on January 23, 2020, in favor of ongoing scrutiny over perceived authoritarian tendencies. These narratives, predominant in left-leaning outlets, contrasted with Johnson's delivery of by January 31, 2020, which empirically resolved the impasse inherited from prior administrations, though outlets like Al Jazeera noted that broader media dynamics had inadvertently amplified Conservative messaging during the campaign at Labour's expense.

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