Britain’s May shuffles cabinet

LONDON — Prime Minister Theresa May attempted to reenergize her government with a cabinet shake-up Monday as Britain prepares for a crucial phase in the negotiations over its departure from the European Union.

But May, who heads a minority government divided over Brexit, had limited room to make changes, and the overhaul could reinforce perceptions that her authority is fragile.

The most powerful ministers remained in place, and Education Secretary Justine Greening quit the government after refusing to move to a new post.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Treasury chief Philip Hammond kept their jobs. So did Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a frequent target of criticism over failings in the state-funded National Health Service.

May’s decision to keep them in their jobs was in part a reflection of her need to balance Brexit-backing ministers such as Johnson and Davis, with more pro-EU politicians, such as Hammond and Rudd.

May’s shuffle also was complicated by the resignation of the U.K.’s minister for Northern Ireland amid a long-running political crisis in Belfast. James Brokenshire said he was quitting because he is about to have surgery for a lesion on his lung and will need time to recover.

In a letter to May, Brokenshire said the operation meant he would not “be able to give the effort, energy and complete focus needed at this important time.” He was replaced by Karen Bradley, who moved from the sports and culture department.

As Parliament returned from its Christmas break Monday, May summoned ministers to 10 Downing St. to be moved, promoted or demoted.

She removed Patrick McLoughlin, who as Conservative Party chairman oversaw last year’s disastrous election campaign.

May lost a key Cabinet ally before Christmas, when de-facto deputy leader Damian Green was forced to resign for making misleading statements about pornography found on his office computer.