Changes • November 2005 –
David Blunkett resigns his post as
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He is replaced by
John Hutton, leaving the post of
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster vacant for six months. • May 2006 – Following a poor showing in the
local council elections, Blair
reshuffles his cabinet.
Charles Clarke,
Geoff Hoon and
Ian McCartney leave the Cabinet.
Jack Straw becomes
Leader of the House of Commons and
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
Margaret Beckett is promoted to
Foreign Secretary,
John Reid to
Home Secretary,
David Miliband to
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and
Des Browne to
Secretary of State for Defence.
Ruth Kelly takes a new post of
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which replaces the post held by
David Miliband and takes a number of responsibilities previously held by the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Kelly will also serve as
Minister for Women and Equality.
Alan Johnson becomes
Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
Alistair Darling becomes
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
Hilary Armstrong becomes
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,
Minister for the Cabinet Office and
Minister for Social Exclusion.
Douglas Alexander enters the Cabinet as
Secretary of State for Transport and
Secretary of State for Scotland.
Hazel Blears enters the Cabinet as
Minister Without Portfolio and
Party Chair,
Stephen Timms as
Chief Secretary to the Treasury and
Jacqui Smith as
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and
Chief Whip. • May 2007 – The
Home Office loses responsibility for criminal justice, prisons & probation and legal affairs which merges into the
Department for Constitutional Affairs with Falconer becoming
Secretary of State for Justice. • June 2007 – On 27 June,
Tony Blair officially tenders his resignation as Prime Minister to Queen
Elizabeth II, with
Deputy Prime Minister and
First Secretary of State,
John Prescott leaving office at the same time. == List of ministers ==