Esther McVey to lead 'anti woke agenda' in major role as Sunak appoints her 'Common Sense Tzar'

Esther McVey has walked into No 10 Downing Street this evening, indicating that Rishi Sunak will promote the MP to a ministerial role

PA
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 13/11/2023

- 17:18

Updated: 13/11/2023

- 21:19

Rishi Sunak conducted a brutal reshuffle of his Cabinet today

Esther McVey has been appointed Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, with her main role said to be "speaking common sense" on behalf of the Government.

Her role will be to represent Rishi Sunak's government on TV and radio as much as possible, with sources saying she has been appointed in an attempt to show the Government is committed to its "anti-woke" agenda.


This comes amid mounting criticism of Rishi Sunak from the right wing of the party, after what has been seen by some as a purge of the right.

Sunak conducted a major reshuffle of his Cabinet today, which began with the sacking of Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

She was sacked by Rishi Sunak early this morning, days after publishing an unauthorised Op-Ed criticising the police.

WATCH: Esther McVey walks into No10

The Home Secretary was replaced by moderate James Cleverly.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron has been brought back into Government to replace Cleverly as Foreign Secretary in a shock move by Sunak.

The reshuffle also saw Environment Secretary Therese Coffey step down, saying in her letter it is time to "step back", with former Health Secretary Steve Barclay replacing her.

Victoria Atkins has stepped into Barclay's old role in the Department of Health, while Richard Holden has replaced Greg Hands as party chairman.


The PM's spokesperson said the aim of the reshuffle is to provide a "strongly united team to deliver the change the country needs for the long term".

They added: "He wants a cabinet that's focused on delivering the change the country needs".

In a brief statement after his appointment, Cleverly said: "It is an honour to be appointed as Home Secretary. The goal is clear. My job is to keep people in this country safe."

Asked if he wants to distance himself from the language used by his predecessor Suella Braverman, Cleverly told broadcasters: "I intend to do this job in the way I feel best protects the British people and our interests."

After being sacked by Rishi Sunak first thing this morning, Braverman teased making a major intervention on the issue.

In a short statement after being axed, the former Home Secretary promised she had "more to say" on her departure.

She said: "It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Home Secretary.

"I will have more to say in due course."

WATCH: Christopher Hope discusses Suella Braverman 

Cabinet ministers who leave their position are allowed to make a statement on the matter in the House of Commons.

While the opportunity is rarely taken up, it has been used in the past by high profile politicians in order to launch attacks on their party leaders.

Most notably, in 1990 Conservative minister Sir Geoffrey Howe made a statement in the Commons after resigning as Chancellor that was seen to trigger the start of the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.

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