New PM makes radical changes to the Cabinet
Details of wide-ranging reshuffle are slowly emerging from Downing St, with new Prime Minister Gordon Brown signalling his determination to break with the Blair years.
David Miliband becomes Foreign Secretary at the age of 41.
A poll of PinkNews.co.uk readers in May found 27% wanted Mr Miliband as next Prime Minister and 13% wanted Gordon Brown.
His elevation to one of the top jobs in the government allows Mr Miliband to continue his work on climate change in an international arena, and is indicative of his rise through the ranks. He is now seen as the natural successor to Gordon Brown.
His younger brother Ed Miliband, a former adviser to Mr Brown, joins the Cabinet, along with James Purnell, a young Blairite who is tipped to become Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Alastair Darling is to be the new Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Alan Johnson moves from education to health, meaning that he will not be outlining new policies to tackle homophobic bullying at next month’s Stonewall conference.
Brown confidante Ed Balls is expected to be appointed to a new Schools and Children department.
The rest of the old DfES will become a new ‘Skills and Higher Education’ department.
Peter Hain moves from Northern Ireland Secretary to Work and Pensions.
A strong supporter of gay rights, Mr Hain introduced the Sexual Orientation Regulations in Northern Ireland despite strong objections from Unionist politicians.
Former Chief Whip Jacqui Smith is a surprise choice for Home Secretary. The virtually unknown MP for Reddich will oversee a department denuded by changes introduced by her predecessor.
Responsibility for prisons and penal policy is now part of the new Ministry of Justice which Jack Straw is expected to take charge of.
Labour’s newly elected Deputy Leader, Harriet Harman, has been appointed Leader of the House of Commons.
Highly regarded for his work at International Development, Hilary Benn replaces David Miliband as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
More Cabinet announcements are expected throughout today and tomorrow.
No-one has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and it seems unlikely that Mr Brown wants to retain the post.
