Tory Big Beasts Fall in Cabinet Shake-Up In a major shake-up of the British government, six prominent Conservative ministers have lost their cabinet seats, including Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps. Departing Ministers: * Penny Mordaunt: Former Minister of State for Trade Policy * Grant Shapps: Former Transport Secretary * Jeremy Quin: Former Defense Minister * Chris Skidmore: Former Universities and Science Minister * Julia Lopez: Former Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure * Lee Rowley: Former Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Reasons for Removals: The departures are believed to be part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts to reshape his government and establish his own authority. Some ministers were reportedly seen as potential rivals or had expressed concerns about government policy. Mordaunt, who had been tipped as a potential future leader of the Conservative Party, was reportedly removed due to her close association with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Shapps, who was previously considered a close ally of Sunak, had recently questioned the government’s economic policies. Impact on Government: The departure of such experienced ministers is likely to have a significant impact on the government. Mordaunt was a vocal critic of the European Union and played a key role in the negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Shapps was responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects, such as the HS2 high-speed rail line. Reactions: The departures have been met with mixed reactions. Some Conservative MPs have welcomed the changes, arguing that they will bring in fresh blood and ideas. Others have expressed concern about the loss of experience and expertise. Mordaunt said in a statement that she was “disappointed” to be leaving the government but wished Sunak well. Shapps said he was “proud” of his record in government and looked forward to continuing to serve as a backbencher. Other Changes: In addition to the departures, Sunak has appointed several new ministers to his cabinet, including: * Kemi Badenoch: New Business and Trade Secretary * Dominic Raab: New Justice Secretary * Johnny Mercer: New Veterans’ Affairs Minister * Greg Hands: New Minister for International Trade These appointments suggest that Sunak is seeking to create a government that is more focused on delivering on his priorities, such as economic growth and public service reform.Conservatives Face Historic Losses in General ElectionConservatives Face Historic Losses in General Election A record-equalling seven cabinet ministers, including Grant Shapps, Gillian Keegan, Lucy Frazer, Penny Mordaunt, and Alex Chalk, have lost their seats in a devastating general election bloodbath for Rishi Sunak’s government. Key Losses * Johnny Mercer: Veterans minister defeated by Labour in Plymouth Moor View * Penny Mordaunt: Commons leader defeated by Labour in Portsmouth North * Alex Chalk: Justice secretary defeated by Liberal Democrat in Cheltenham * Lucy Frazer: Culture secretary defeated by Liberal Democrat in Ely and East Cambridgeshire * Grant Shapps: Defence secretary defeated by Labour in Welwyn Hatfield * Gillian Keegan: Education secretary heavily defeated by Liberal Democrat in Chichester Analysis Grant Shapps, a key figure in the Conservative party for decades, has attributed the party’s loss to “indulgence” and a failure to unite. Penny Mordaunt, a potential leadership contender, said the party had “taken a battering” due to its failure to address voters’ concerns about the cost of living and healthcare. exit poll According to the exit poll, Labour is heading for a landslide victory, with Sir Keir Starmer forecast to win 170 seats and become Prime Minister. The Tories are predicted to win only 131 seats, their worst result in decades. Historic Significance This is the biggest loss of cabinet ministers in a general election since the 1980s. It reflects a widespread dissatisfaction with the Conservative government, which has been plagued by division, scandals, and mishandling of the economy. The election outcome will have a profound impact on the political landscape of the United Kingdom.In the wake of Rishi Sunak’s departure from government, Penny Mordaunt, Grant Shapps, and five other senior Conservative ministers have also tendered their resignations. Mordaunt, the trade minister, is a former leadership candidate who has been critical of Boris Johnson’s handling of the Partygate scandal. Shapps, the transport secretary, is a long-serving cabinet minister who has held a number of positions in government. The other ministers who have resigned are Chris Skidmore, the universities minister; Alex Chalk, the justice minister; Bim Afolami, the Conservative Party chairman; John Glen, the economic secretary to the Treasury; and Victoria Atkins, the Home Office minister. The resignations have been sparked by Johnson’s handling of the Owen Paterson sleaze scandal, which has led to accusations that he is no longer fit to lead the country. Mordaunt said in her resignation letter that she could no longer “defend the indefensible” and that Johnson had “lost the confidence of the country.” Shapps said that he had “lost confidence” in Johnson’s “ability to deliver on our promises” and that it was time for “a fresh start” under a new leader. The resignations are a major blow to Johnson’s authority and have raised questions about his ability to remain in office. It is unclear if he will be able to survive a vote of no confidence in his leadership, which could be triggered if a sufficient number of Conservative MPs submit letters of no confidence to the party’s backbench 1922 Committee.