UK's First Cabinet Reshuffle After Brexit... Chancellor Resigns Following Aide Dismissal Demand

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson carried out a large-scale cabinet reshuffle on the 13th (local time), marking the first since Brexit (the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union). Sajid Javid, the Chancellor of the Exchequer who was considered the 'number two' in the UK government after Johnson, abruptly resigned in protest after Johnson dismissed his aides.

According to The Guardian and other daily newspapers, Johnson appointed Rishi Sunak, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as Javid's successor. Javid, who was initially expected to remain in office, resigned, leading to Sunak's promotion from Chief Secretary to Chancellor. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose official residence is at 11 Downing Street next to the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street, is regarded as the 'number two' in the UK government after the Prime Minister.

Javid moved from Home Secretary to Chancellor of the Exchequer when Johnson took office in July last year. Although he was offered to stay on this time as well, he expressed his intention to resign. This was in response to Johnson's directive to dismiss all of Javid's special advisers and replace them with the Prime Minister's own special advisers.

Javid reportedly said, "No minister with any pride would accept this." Johnson explained that the personnel changes in the Chancellor's advisory team were intended to create 'one team.' Regarding this, Javid stated, "(My aides) have worked incredibly hard," and that he could not accept the order to replace them, leaving resignation as his only option.

Foreign media have focused on the fact that Javid's resignation came after months of conflict with Dominic Cummings, Johnson's chief adviser and a key figure in the government. It is interpreted that Javid was effectively pushed out as Cummings sought greater authority over economic and fiscal policies. In his resignation letter, Javid emphasized to Johnson that "it is very important for the efficiency of the government to have people around who can provide clear and honest advice, as I have always sought," and stressed that "the Treasury must maintain as much credibility as possible as an institution."

Ultimately, Javid, who had been preparing the first budget announcement since Brexit next month, stepped down without completing his work. His successor, 39-year-old Sunak, graduated from Oxford University, worked at Goldman Sachs, founded an investment firm, and served as Minister for Housing before becoming Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2018. Some speculate that Cummings orchestrated Sunak's appointment to directly control the Treasury. Foreign media reported that on social media, Sunak is being called 'Baby Chino,' referencing Javid's nickname 'Chino.' They added that Sunak will face pressure to prove himself as Chancellor of the Exchequer, not merely as a puppet of Cummings.

Meanwhile, former Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and ministers of the Business Department, Ministry of Justice, Environment Department, Culture Department, and International Development Department have all been replaced. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove have remained in their posts.