LONDON: Britain’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday retained several senior ministers from predecessor Liz Truss’s top team, including Jeremy Hunt as finance minister, as he bids for a stable transition.

He kept James Cleverly as foreign secretary and Ben Wallace in defence, despite them both backing an aborted comeback by ex-leader Boris Johnson. He also re-appointed hardline right-winger Suella Braverman as interior minister, in charge of policing and immigration control, besides keeping his most recent leadership rival Penny Mordaunt who withdrew from the race on Monday. The appointments are aimed at signalling continuity in top portfolios after the dramatic upheavals seen under Truss.

Grant Shapps was named business secretary, replacing Jacob Rees-Mogg. The role involves partial oversight of climate policy.

UK lawmaker Mel Stride appointed pensions minister. Nadhim Zahawi became a minister without portfolio, while also reportedly being appointed chairman of the Conservative Party.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2022