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Roundup: British PM names first all-Conservative cabinet following election victory

Xinhua, May 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday formed his first all-Conservative cabinet after his party stormed to victory in this year's general election.

The new cabinet saw most of Cameron's close allies retaining their jobs, including Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

Osborne also became First Secretary of State, an honorific title implying seniority over other ministers.

Michael Gove, former government chief whip of the House of Commons, became Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, succeeding Chris Grayling, who was appointed Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.

Nicky Morgan remained as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, while former Immigration Minister Mark Harper was made the new chief whip.

Tens of ministers and senior officials have resigned from government, including former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, whose Liberal Democrats party suffered a disastrous defeat in the general election.

Other notable Liberal Democrat ministers stepping down from government include former chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander, former business secretary Vincent Cable, and former energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey.

John Whittingdale, former chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in the House of Commons, was named Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, succeeding Sajid Javid, who became the new Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The cabinet reshuffle also saw a number of female ministers being accepted into Cameron's top team.

Amber Rudd, former Undersecretary of State for Climate Change, was appointed the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

Meanwhile, Tina Stowell, the incumbent Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal, was promoted to cabinet.

Priti Patel, who previously served as exchequer secretary to the treasury, took on the new role as Minister of State for Employment. She was also allowed to attend cabinet.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, newly elected as a member of the Parliament, would not become a government minister but he accepted an invitation to attend weekly "political cabinet" meetings.

A spokesperson for the mayor said Johnson has to "fulfill his mandate running London first" until his mayoral term ends in May next year.

The Conservative Party won 331 out of a total of 650 seats in the general election held on Thursday, securing the first Conservative majority in the parliament since 1997.

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg and UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage have all resigned following defeats in the general election. Endit