Amber Rudd has returned to cabinet as Work and Pensions Secretary. The former home secretary has been appointed to the brief after Esther McVey resigned on Thursday over the Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit deal.
Rudd’s appointment should help to calm nerves and steady the ship as No.10 try and find some calm following Thursday’s turmoil. Rudd is well liked across the party – and when she resigned over the Windrush scandal in April, many of her colleagues – including figures in No.10 – urged her to rethink her decision and stay on. It’s good timing for Rudd’s return as earlier this month an inquiry into the events leading up to her resignation concluded that she was let down by her own officials. Rudd has also been savvy and kept her powder dry since leaving government – positioning herself as an ally to May.
That’s not to say the appointment is without problems. Rudd is a vocal Remain-er and May’s Brexit cabinet balance looks in trouble. Rudd has said on the record that she would rather a second referendum than a no deal Brexit. It follows that to Brexiteers the appointment could be seen as a sign the government is leaning towards Remain – though a lot of them think that anyway.
However, given that Rudd’s brief is not Brexit-related these concerns ought not to be too great. Her appointment ultimately is a win for No. 10. By appointing a former minister who is respected and experienced, Theresa May is trying to send the signal that it is business as normal.
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