Boris Johnson’s Cabinet: Who are the internationally-facing Ministers?

Britain’s change of Prime Minister has brought with it a total change of the four internationally-facing cabinet Ministers: Dominic Raab replaces Jeremy Hunt as Foreign Secretary; Liz Truss replaces Liam Fox as International Trade Secretary; Alok Sharma replaces Rory Stewart as International Development Secretary; and Ben Wallace replaces Penny Mordaunt as Defence Secretary. Who are these new Ministers, and what does their appointment mean for Britain’s foreign policy?

Dominic Raab – Foreign Secretary

MP for Esher and Walton since 2010, Raab was Brexit Secretary until November 2018 when he resigned over the draft Withdrawal Agreement. Before Parliament, he worked as a lawyer at the Foreign Office. He has consistently voted for the use of UK military forces overseas, and became a vocal supporter of ‘No Deal’. As Foreign Secretary, he is likely to take a ‘realpolitik’ approach to the Middle East and to prioritise repairing the UK-US relationship, favouring a strengthening of alliances to boost trade and standing.

Liz Truss – International Trade Secretary

Previously second-in-command at the Treasury and Environment Secretary, Truss co-authored the 2012 booklet ‘Britannia Unchained’, placing her towards the right of the Conservative Party. She may tend towards a ‘Britain First’ approach to international trade and is unlikely to expand trade negotiations beyond the core matters of trade.

Alok Sharma – International Development Secretary

A former chartered accountant and MP since 2010, Sharma campaigned to remain in the EU. On his appointment he said he would work to make sure UK aid tackles global challenges such as climate change, disease and humanitarian disasters, and spoke in favour of continuing to invest 0.7% of GNI on international development – suggesting continuity with Rory Stewart’s priorities.

Ben Wallace – Defence Secretary

An MP since 2005, Wallace previously served in the Scottish Parliament following an eight-year army career, including service in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and Central America. Previously Minister of State for Security, he campaigned to remain in the EU and warned a no-deal Brexit would hit UK-EU security ties. His army background may give him a realist, strategic perspective on crises such as Iran.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the BFPG.