Conservatism unleashed or steady as she goes?

List of members of the Cabinet, and others invited to attend Cabinet

First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Exchequer

George Osborne, who David Cameron argued needed to be "back at his desk" following the election, is returning as the Chancellor. Mr Osborne is also taking on the role of first secretary of state, making him the highest ranking cabinet minister, second only to the Prime Minister – meaning that should something unfortunate happen to the PM, George would be in charge. It also means that he will deputise at PMQs.

Home Secretary

Theresa May has been re-appointed to the position she has held since 2010, making her the longest serving Home Secretary since Rab Butler who served in the late 50s/early 60s. A steady hand on the tiller of the ministry where careers are often sent to die (being such a tough job it is seen as somewhat of a poisoned chalice), Theresa has survived police reform, riots, terrorism and paedophile inquiries with steely determination. What will the next Parliament have in store for her, and what effect might they have on her leadership ambitions?

Foreign Secretary

Philip Hammond, who has been Foreign Secretary since 2014, is returning to the post. He was previously the Defence Secretary between 2011 and 2014, and before that the Transport Secretary from 2010 until 2011. Regarded as a ‘safe pair’ of hands he filled the significant shoes of William Hague.

Work and Pensions Secretary

Iain Duncan-Smith returns as the Work and Pensions Secretary, having held the position throughout the coalition (2010-2015). IDS’ return will be seen as a vindication of his work on turbulent welfare reform (which has often been criticised). Mr Duncan-Smith will now be expected to see through the implementation of the Conservative’s flagship single universal credit policy.

Defence Secretary

Michael Fallon has been re-appointed as Defence Secretary, a position he has held since 2014. Another safe pair of hands, Michael Fallon will be one to watch as the country waits to see whether the Government decides to honour its NATO commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence spending or continues with the cuts programme.

Health Secretary

Jeremy Hunt was appointed Health Secretary in 2012 and has been re-appointed to the post. Rewarded (if it can be considered a reward) for inheriting a very difficult health landscape following the implementation of sweeping health reforms in 2012. An effective communicator, he will continue to have to deal with one of Government’s most significant challenges.

Transport Secretary

Patrick McLoughlin remains in this position, having taken over from Justine Greening in 2012. Well liked son of a miner, Patrick will continue to lead on the country’s major infrastructure projects including HS2. Having been Chief Whip, and an MP since 1986, his role at Transport is likely to be his last on the front bench.

Communities and Local Government Secretary

Greg Clark was a favourite to succeed the larger than life, Eric Pickles, at CLG and was promoted to the cabinet after being minister for universities, science and cities for the last year of the previous Parliament. Having held positions at BIS, Treasury, Education and Cabinet Office, his skill set is broad.

Chief Whip

Having lost his job as the Immigration Minister following his cleaner being in the country illegally, Mark Harper, has now been promoted to Chief Whip making him the enforcer of party discipline. With a slender majority this is a key role and a sign of the respect that he has.

Culture, Media and Sport

Veteran Conservative MP John Whittingdale is the former chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. He is also a former PPS to Margaret Thatcher and has “robust views” on the BBC licence fee.

Cabinet Office Minister

The cerebral Oliver Letwin has been promoted to become a full member of the Cabinet, taking overall control of the Cabinet Office. Mr Letwin was previously Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and led on all things policy for the Conservative Party.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Greg Hands, who is the Former Deputy Chief Whip, has taken over the position previously occupied by Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander. Greg was George Osborne’s right hand man through much of the last Parliament, and has been awarded accordingly.

Leader of the House of Commons

Facing a sort of demotion, Chris Grayling, the former Justice Secretary has been made of Leader of the House, replacing William Hague who stood down as an MP at the election. Seen as on the right of the Conservative Party he will be a voice for them to the executive.

Justice Secretary

Michael Gove, a former education secretary, has been moved from chief whip to take up the Justice Secretary's position, which was held by Chris Grayling between 2012 and 2015. An interesting move given Mr Gove’s reformist zeal, many will be watching the Prison Service see what he has in store for them.

Education Secretary

Nicky Morgan is to continue in her role as Education Secretary after her appointment last year. Another ‘steady as she goes’ Secretary, Nicky will be keeping a set course on a department that has already seen significant reform.

Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary

Sajid Javid has moved to the more senior role of Business Secretary, having been Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in the last Parliament. A businessman as Business Secretary, Sajid’s appointment will likely be welcomed by the private sector community, and will offer the opportunity of more expose to this rising star of the Conservative Party.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary

Replacing Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, Amber Rudd is to be Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. A no-nonsense ally of the Chancellor, many will be curious to see what the Conservatives do with the ‘green c**p.’

Minister of State for Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions

Priti Patel is to be Minister of State for Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions. She was Exchequer Secretary in the last parliament. Most noted for her advocacy of capital punishment, a former PR professional, Priti is considered very much on the right of the Party.

Minister of State for Small Business

Anna Soubry, previously minister of state for defence, is the new Minister of State for Small Business in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary

Liz Truss held this position during the final year of the coalition government, and has been re-appointed. Tipped by many as a future Education Secretary Liz Truss may not be focussed on environmental issues for long.

International Development Secretary

Moved from her role as Transport Secretary, due her views against Heathrow expansion, Justine Greening was appointed to this position in 2012 and continues in the post.

Leader of the House of Lords

Conservative Peer Baroness Stowell has remained in her position. She has also been made a full member of the cabinet and has been made Lord Privy Seal.

Northern Ireland Secretary

Theresa Villiers is continuing in her position, to which she was first appointed in 2012.

Scotland Secretary

David Mundell has been the only Conservative MP in Scotland since 2005, and has now been appointed the Scottish Secretary. It will be a lonely, but important, job dealing with the all-powerful SNP.

Wales Secretary

Cabinet’s only beard continues with Stephen Crabb maintaining his role as Welsh Secretary.

Also:

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister to attend political cabinet. With the London Mayor still having a year to serve, he has not been given a ministerial appointment and as such will not be attending full Cabinet.