The topic with the most posts is the announcement of new cabinet appointments and their initial departmental activities. The post with the highest engagement is from Shabana Mahmood regarding comments made about the new Lord Chancellor, receiving 757,735 views.
Three Major Themes
- Cabinet Appointments: Multiple government departments, including the Ministry of Justice, Defra, and the Department for Education, announced their new Secretaries of State.
- Defence and GCAP: The Ministry of Defence and Wes Streeting posted about the Global Combat Air Programme and meetings with international counterparts.
- Justice Secretary Apologies: Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting posted statements apologizing and clarifying that comments made about the new Justice Secretary were intended as levity.
The Ministry of Defence stated the Defence Secretary joined counterparts from Japan, Italy, and Canada to discuss the “Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).” Ed Miliband stated he spoke to Andrii Sybiha and underlined the UK’s “steadfast and resolute commitment to the people of Ukraine.” The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero welcomed their new Secretary of State and stated the government is removing VAT from domestic electricity bills “from October 1.” The Ministry of Defence stated that the Global Combat Air Programme is “one of the biggest industrial investments in UK aerospace.” The Ministry of Justice welcomed Alex Norris as “Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.” Jonathan Reynolds stated it is “Good to be back!” and the Department for Business and Trade stated he is “Getting straight down to business.” The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office posted about Ed Miliband’s “first 24 hours as Foreign Secretary.” Ed Miliband stated he enjoyed his first all-staff meeting at the FCDO and that foreign policy will be “steadfast in defending our interests and protecting our values.” Defra UK welcomed Angela Eagle as the “new Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.”
Wes Streeting stated the government is “Maximising our deterrence” and highlighted programmes like GCAP. The Ministry of Defence stated Wes Streeting “hit the ground running on his first day as Defence Secretary.” The Department for Education introduced Lucy Powell as the “new Education Secretary.” John Healey stated that their purpose is to “put more money into people’s pockets, keep public finances secure, and build an economy that works right across the UK.” HM Treasury posted about John Healey’s “First 24 hours as Chancellor.” Shabana Mahmood stated there was “no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new Lord Chancellor.” Wes Streeting stated he is “sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity” regarding the new Justice Secretary. Wes Streeting provided a link for context regarding a “Theresa May/Ken Clarke joke.”
Outlook / Emerging Trends
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated the government will remove VAT from domestic electricity bills “from October 1.” Ed Miliband stated he will attend ASEAN to “meet key international counterparts.”
