Theresa May’s Cabinet Reboot Descends Into Chaos

Health minister refuses to leave, education secretary quits
Pro-European justice secretary promoted as de facto deputy

The nature of the reshuffle underlines May’s weakness, says Jeremy Stretch, head of G10 FX strategy at CIBC.Source: Bloomberg

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By Thomas Penny, Tim Ross, and Kitty Donaldson

January 9, 2018 at 12:01 AM UTC

Updated on

January 9, 2018 at 7:33 AM UTC

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U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s attempt to give her government a 2018 reboot was marred by a chaotic cabinet reshuffle as senior ministers refused to follow her orders. It’s a development that bodes ill for her ability to successfully navigate the next, even trickier stage of Brexit talks.

May’s office flagged Monday’s events as “a refresh” of her top team. But instead of the usual parade of lawmakers arriving at her office in quick succession to accept their new roles, things went off script. First Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, then Education Secretary Justine Greening were locked in discussions with her after rejecting proposed moves.