Liberal Democrats join cabinet as David Cameron puts together new Government

Published on Wednesday 12 May 2010 10:54

NEW Prime Minister invited several Liberal Democrat MPs into his Government as the UK's first Conservative administration for 13 years took shape today.

• Shake on it - Nick Clegg and David Cameron at 10 Downing Street today

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will serve as Deputy Prime Minister while Vince Cable, Mr Clegg's second in command, has been appointed Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills.

Mr Cable's fellow Liberal Democrat David Laws will serve under Chancellor George Osbourne as Chief Secretary to the Treasurey. He will also sit in the cabinet.

Lib Dem sources say Highland MP Danny Alexander will be Scottish Secretary.

Former Conservative Party leaders William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith have been appointed Foreign Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary respectively.

Andrew Lansley will be Health Secretary, Michael Gove Education Secretary and Theresa May will act as both Home Secretary and women's minister.

Scot Liam Fox has been put in charge of Defence and Kenneth Clarke was made the Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor.

Patrick McLoughlin, the Tory chief whip while they were in opposition, will carry on as the Government Chief Whip.

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Comment

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• John McTernan: Labour needs to renew itself – then set out to drive a wedge between public and coalition

• Bill Jamieson: We've gone from malice in bunkerland to Alice in Wonderland

• James Mitchell: Spending cuts unavoidable – the question is how the axe is wielded

• Tom Peterkin: 'The need to sort out the economy should help bind the two parties'

• It is time to give Scottish Tories a decent burial and start again