For the first time in 18 years, there is a government in Britain drawn exclusively from the Conservative party as a result of David Cameron securing an overall majority in the House of Commons in the 7 May general election.
The appointments reflect continuity as well as change.George Osborne, a close confidante of the prime minister remains chancellor of the exchequer and de facto deputy prime minister. This probably signals a perseverance with austerity, more cuts in government spending to reduce debt and the deficit, but greater encouragement to the private sector to invest in housing, infrastructure, energy and other sectors.
A tough line on immigration and Islamists can be expected with Theresa May being retained as home secretary. The first would be to try and marginalise Ukip, who attracted nearly four million votes and under a PR system would have enjoyed 83 seats in the Commons as opposed to the solitary one they actually won. The second would be to please the rank and file of the Conservative party and their core supporters.
Early re-negotiation of treaties with the European Union will be high on the government's agenda, what with a referendum by 2017 on whether or not to stay in the EU promised in the Conservative manifesto. In this respect, since Philip Hammond is seen as more Eurosceptic than an Euro-enthusiast, this may keep critics of Cameron with the party at bay. At the same time, it would be suicidal to withdraw from the EU. It would have catastrophic consequences for the British economy. Most member countries, including the powerful ones in western Europe, would not want Britain to quit and neither would conceivably a majority of Britons. Nevertheless, the eastern European nations do not seem to be in a mood to allow a dismantling of the single market for employment and benefits.
Michael Gove as the new Secretary of State for Justice will be entrusted with the task of abolishing the existing Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights permits, among other provisions, appeals to a superior European Court. This is likely to be replaced by a British Bill of Rights.
The fact is British courts even without being governed by European laws have been strict on human rights matters. Applications to extradite persons who have allegedly committed crimes in India have either been consistently rejected by the judiciary here on the grounds Indian authorities may indulge in torture if the defendant is returned to India or where cases have been won in a lower court, they have been appealed against, thereby effectively denying deportation.
Eric Pickles, popular with Asians, has been replaced by Greg Clark as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Clark has been chairman of The Football League. The welfare of the Asian community will be one of his responsibilities.
Sajid Javid, formerly with Chase Manhattan and Deutsche Bank, is quite qualified to be Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills. Dealing with India on the trade and investment front will be among his important tasks.
Priti Patel, though, has been given a challenging assignment as Minister of State for Employment.
