Sunak plans mini cabinet reshuffle after rocky start

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is planning to carry out a mini reshuffle of his cabinet as soon as yesterday, in an effort to re-set his premiership after a rocky first 100 days in office, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Mr Sunak was set to appoint a new Conservative Party chair, after he sacked Nadhim Zahawi over a tax scandal more than a week ago, as part of a wider overhaul, officials told cabinet ministers on Monday.

Officials have also held talks with ministers in recent days about splitting up the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, according to a person familiar. This is something Mr Sunak proposed during last year’s leadership round.

Mr Sunak’s office declined to comment late on Monday.

The move comes as pressure builds on Mr Sunak to re-think his decision to appoint Dominic Raab as his Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, who has since come under investigation over bullying allegations.

Mr Sunak’s ruling Tory party sits around 20 points behind the Labour opposition in most polls, and in the face of a possible general election defeat in less than two years is facing mounting calls in his own party to cut taxes.

The premier has been unimpressed with the quality of work produced by BEIS in recent years, taking particular issue with its focus on energy, which has left less capacity to produce significant pro-business policies, the person said.

One option being discussed is the creation of a stand-alone energy department, with offices focused on business, trade and technology.