New British Lineup
June 28, 2007
Brown's naming of Jacqui Smith to the top job at the Home Office, or Interior Ministry, was probably among his most unexpected moves.
Brown also appointed the youngest foreign secretary in 30 years -- rising star David Miliband.
Analysts regard the move to put 41-year-old Miliband, a reported critic of the Iraq war, in charge of external affairs as an attempt to signal a shift of tone in foreign policy.
"The opportunities and challenges of the modern world require, in my view, a diplomacy that is patient as well as purposeful, which listens as well as leads," Miliband said.
Change on Iraq
Blair's approach to the Iraq war has proved extremely unpopular amongst British voters and Brown clearly recognizes the need for a change. Miliband's predecessor Margaret Beckett was dropped from the cabinet in the reshuffle.
Britain has been reducing troop numbers in Iraq and now has about 5,500 in the south of the country. While Brown has pledged to stick to Britain's commitments in Iraq, there is speculation the withdrawal may speed up.
Miliband, whose brother Ed is also a member of the new Brown government as cabinet office minister, was elected to parliament for the first time in 2001 and has held two cabinet posts since 2005.
Douglas Alexander, a loyal Brown supporter, was promoted to the Department of International Development, a key plank of Brown's foreign agenda.
Economic Continuity
Meanwhile, Brown has appointed another trusted ally Alastair Darling as his replacement at the Treasury -- a sign of continuity in economic policy. Darling has a reputation as a fixer and his analytical skills are highly valued by the new prime minister.
Brown's campaign manager Jack Straw becomes justice minister. Ed Balls, Brown's right-hand man at the Treasury, was named as children, schools and families minister.
Hilary Benn, formerly at International Development, becomes environment secretary. James Purnell, a work and pensions minister, was promoted to secretary of state for culture, media and sport. Des Browne remains in his post at defense.
Brown's reshuffle saw seven members of the Blair cabinet leave altogether. The new prime minister, who vowed to herald decisive change as he took over the helm on Wednesday, is expected to make a number of key policy statements in the weeks to come.