Key figures in Britain’s new cabinet

New British Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed allies and rivals to her cabinet, and created two new posts to deal with the repercussions of Brexit.
Here are details on the key players, including where they stood on last month’s referendum on EU membership:
– Philip Hammond (finance) –
Hammond, previously foreign minister under David Cameron, has been rewarded for his loyalty to May with the top job of chancellor of the exchequer, or finance minister.
The 60-year-old, who has also previously held the transport and defence briefs, is generally seen as a steady if unspectacular pair of hands.
Hammond, who believes in prudent public finances, had been fiercly critical of the EU in the past but backed Britain’s membership in the referendum campaign.
– Boris Johnson (foreign affairs) –
Top Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson has made a sensational comeback after two weeks in the political wilderness to become Britain’s top diplomat.
With his blond mop-top hair, bumbling manner and tendency to drift into Latin during speeches, Johnson is one of Britain’s most recognisable politicians.
He is also one of the most controversial after he drove the campaign for Britain to leave the EU and then ducked out of the race to become post-Brexit premier, leading critics to accuse him of walking away from the fallout.
– David Davis (Brexit) –
Davis, 67, another campaigner for Britain to leave the EU, has been appointed to the new post of secretary of state for exiting the European Union.
A Europe minister under 1990s premier John Major, he was the frontrunner in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest but lost out to Cameron.
He has called for a “brisk” approach to leaving the EU, which would involve laying out plans in the next few months.
– Liam Fox (international trade) –
The new post of international trade minister reflects the need to build stronger trade ties with non-EU countries such as China and India after the Brexit vote.
Fox, a right-wing, strongly eurosceptic lawmaker, is a former defence minister who resigned in 2011 amid questions about his links to a lobbyist friend.
The 54-year-old former family doctor came third behind Cameron and Davis in the 2005 Conservative leadership race.
He stood for the leadership this time, but quickly backed May after being the first candidate eliminated.
– Amber Rudd (home affairs) –
Amber Rudd, the new interior minister, is one of the few Remain campaigners to win a senior cabinet post.
The former energy secretary in Cameron’s cabinet won acclaim for her punchy defence of the EU in television debates during the referendum debate.
The 52-year-old former investment banker has a reputation for being efficient and reliable.
– Michael Fallon (defence) –
Fallon remains in his post at the ministry of defence, where he has been for the past two years, notably directing his fire at the Labour opposition.
He backed a “Remain” vote in the EU referendum.

Source: AFP