PTI LONDON: Newly re-elected British Prime Minister David Cameron has retained most of his close aides, including Chancellor of the exchequer, home secretary, foreign secretary and defence secretary as he gave finishing touches to his first all-Conservative cabinet.
Some of the key posts will carry on with business as usual including Chancellor George Osborne, home secretary Theresa May, foreign secretary Philip Hammond and defence secretary Michael Fallon, Downing Street confirmed today.
Osborne, Cameron's neighbour at No 11 Downing Street, has also earned an honorific title of first secretary of state, which formally indicates his seniority over other ministers.
Cameron also moved Michael Gove from his post as Conservative party chief whip to justice secretary as he continued to fill in the Cabinet posts over the weekend.
Former immigration minister Mark Harper takes over as party chief whip and parliamentary secretary to the Treasury and Nicky Morgan will carry on in her post as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities.
Chris Grayling, previously justice secretary, becomes Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.
The remaining Cabinet announcements are expected soon. Indian-origin MP Priti Patel, exchequer secretary to the Treasury in the previous government, is widely expected to be promoted to a more senior Cabinet role.
Early speculation over changes at the top of the new ministerial ladder in Britain include rumours that Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary in the coalition government, would be replaced by Sajid Javid, the culture secretary.
The maximum number of paid government appointments is fixed by law at 109. Although some will be filled by peers, it means that Cameron can rely on support from one in three of his MPs in all divisions.
The newly-elected Prime Minister will spend the weekend finalising who will join him at the top table to replace Liberal Democrats who held cabinet posts in the coalition government such as former Business Secretary Vince Cable, Energy Secretary Ed Davey and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
Cameron's victory in May 7 polls is the first outright majority for Conservatives in parliament since 1992.
Some of the key posts will carry on with business as usual including Chancellor George Osborne, home secretary Theresa May, foreign secretary Philip Hammond and defence secretary Michael Fallon, Downing Street confirmed today.
Osborne, Cameron's neighbour at No 11 Downing Street, has also earned an honorific title of first secretary of state, which formally indicates his seniority over other ministers.
Cameron also moved Michael Gove from his post as Conservative party chief whip to justice secretary as he continued to fill in the Cabinet posts over the weekend.
Former immigration minister Mark Harper takes over as party chief whip and parliamentary secretary to the Treasury and Nicky Morgan will carry on in her post as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities.
Chris Grayling, previously justice secretary, becomes Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.
The remaining Cabinet announcements are expected soon. Indian-origin MP Priti Patel, exchequer secretary to the Treasury in the previous government, is widely expected to be promoted to a more senior Cabinet role.
Early speculation over changes at the top of the new ministerial ladder in Britain include rumours that Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary in the coalition government, would be replaced by Sajid Javid, the culture secretary.
The maximum number of paid government appointments is fixed by law at 109. Although some will be filled by peers, it means that Cameron can rely on support from one in three of his MPs in all divisions.
The newly-elected Prime Minister will spend the weekend finalising who will join him at the top table to replace Liberal Democrats who held cabinet posts in the coalition government such as former Business Secretary Vince Cable, Energy Secretary Ed Davey and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
Cameron's victory in May 7 polls is the first outright majority for Conservatives in parliament since 1992.
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