Full report: Michael Gove out of education, William Hague quits as Foreign Secretary amid major cabinet reshuffle

In a major cabinet reshuffle, David Cameron has axed a dozen older male ministers with William Hague standing down as Foreign Secretary.

15:46 15 July 2014

Amidst the biggest reshuffle since David Cameron became the Prime Minister, William Hauge has stood down as Foreign Secretary.

Cameron has moved at least six Cabinet members and ousted more older male ministers to make way for a series of young women, who will be promoted on Tuesday. Those who were axed in their positions included Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, and David Willetts. Owen Patterson was also sacked.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Mr Hague will be replaced by Phillip Hammond, the Defence Secretary and a noted Eurosceptic. Hague isn't gone, however, as he is now leader of the commons after Andrew Lansley got the sack.

Paying tribute to Mr Hague, Mr Cameron said: “William Hague has been one of the leading lights of the Conservative Party for a generation, leading the party and serving in two cabinets. Not only has he been a first class Foreign Secretary – he has also been a close confidant, a wise counsellor and a great friend.”

Another significant change came in the form of Michael Gove being ousted Education Secretary only to be swiftly replaced by junior Treasury minister Nicky Morgan. Morgan became the first woman promoted to the Cabinet in the reshuffle.

The prime minister has in the past been reluctant to make major changes. However, in his desire to increase the chances of winning in May’s general election, he embarked on a series of significant changes starting yesterday.

 

	BEFORE RESHUFFLE	AFTER RESHUFFLE
Foreign Secretary	William Hague (MOVED)	Philip Hammond
Chancellor of the Exchequer	George Osborne	George Osborne
Home Secretary	Theresa May	Theresa May
Defence Secretary	Philip Hammond (PROMOTED)	Michael Fallon
Work and Pensions Secretary	Iain Duncan Smith	Iain Duncan Smith
Justice Secretary	Chris Grayling	-
Education Secretary	Michael Gove (MOVED)	Nicky Morgan
Communities Secretary	Eric Pickles	-
Health Secretary	Jeremy Hunt	-
Leader of the House of Lords	Lord Hill	-
Environment Secretary	Owen Paterson (SACKED)	Liz Truss
International Development Secretary	Justine Greening	-
Transport Secretary	Patrick McLoughlin	Patrick McLoughlin
Culture Secretary	Sajid Javid	-
Northern Ireland Secretary	Theresa Villiers	-
Wales Secretary	David Jones (SACKED)	Stephen Crabb
Minister without Portfolio	Kenneth Clarke (RESIGNED)	-
Leader of the Commons	Andrew Lansley (SACKED)	William Hague
Chief Whip	Sir George Young (RESIGNED)	Michael Gove
Cabinet Office minister	Francis Maude	-
Minister for Policy	Oliver Letwin	-
Senior Foreign Office Minister	Baroness Warsi	-
Universities Minister	David Willetts (RESIGNED)	Greg Clarke
Minister for Women	Nicky Morgan	Nicky Morgan
Tory party chairman	Grant Shapps	-
Attorney General	Dominic Grieve (SACKED)	-
Cities Minister	Greg Clark	-