Mordaunt is ready to make a splash in the Tory Cabinet
Priti Patel’s ‘dear friend’ takes over her job as May heeds demands to bring in fresh talent
THERESA MAY yesterday sent a clear message that she has heeded critics by promoting “fresh blood” to her Cabinet, ahead of a full reshuffle expected later this year.
Penny Mordaunt replaced Priti Patel as International Development Secretary and Victoria Atkins, only elected in 2015, was given a job as a Home Office minister. Sarah Newton, 56, meanwhile, was made a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions.
The move is being seen as a bid to silence critics who claimed the Prime Minister is too weak to overhaul her top team after a string of embarrassing mistakes by Cabinet ministers.
It also maintains a delicate balance of Leave and Remain MPS around the Cabinet table ahead of the broader reshuffle which is expected after the Budget. Ms Mordaunt, 44, and Ms Atkins, 41, are both popular with colleagues and the decision points to Mrs May’s awareness that the party needs new blood in its highest ranks to avoid looking stale and out of touch.
Ms Patel, who was forced to resign after failing to declare meetings during a trip to Israel, was the second Cabinet minister to leave in a week after Sir Michael Fallon stepped aside amid concerns over her personal conduct.
Damian Green is also facing questions over his behaviour and an investigation is ongoing. As her effective deputy, the First Secretary of State’s departure could lead to another difficult shake-up for the Prime Minister if he is forced to resign.
Ms Mordaunt, whose appointment had been widely expected, was welcomed as a sensible choice. Following the announcement, Ms Patel tweeted her support for her successor, congratulating her “dear friend” on her appointment.
It is in sharp contrast to the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Gavin Williamson, the former chief whip, as Defence Secretary last week, which prompted outrage as MPS claimed he was unqualified for the role and had effectively promoted himself.
Speaking about the decision to promote three women yesterday, an ally of Mrs May said: “We have an MP from the 2010 intake reaching the Cabinet and an MP from the 2015 intake becoming a minister. It sends a message to the party that she wants to bring in talent and fresh blood.”
As the only female MP who is also a Royal Navy reservist, Ms Mordaunt is also known for her appearance on celebrity television diving show Splash!, during which she said she had been pleased by positive comments about how she looked in a swimsuit.
Ms Mordaunt also once worked as a magician’s assistant and memorably delivered a speech packed with innuendos in the Commons after she lost a bet with Royal Navy officer friends.
Ms Mordaunt married her university sweetheart Paul Murray in 1999, when she was 26, but the marriage ended shortly after. She now lives with her partner Ian Lyon, a classical singer.
Ms Atkins, a barrister and daughter of the former Tory MP Sir Robert Atkins, became the first MP from 2015 to secure a ministerial position. A Remainer, she has been tipped as a future leader and is associated with the Women to Win group of MPS, founded by Mrs May to promote women in the party.