Minister for the Union explained
The Minister for the Union is a position in the United Kingdom which was held concurrently with the post of Prime Minister.
History
The position was created by Boris Johnson during his first ministry,[1] [2] [3] to be held concurrently with the duties of prime minister. Johnson proposed the position during the 2019 Conservative Party leadership campaign.[4] He was the first prime minister to adopt the title,[5] and the post was retained by Johnson in his second ministry,[6] [7] and under the premierships of Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.
On 4 September 2019, the Government announced £10 million in funding to support the Prime Minister's work as Minister for the Union.[8]
Responsibilities
Since September 2020, the stated responsibilities of the position have been: "As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all of government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales."[9] Before that point, the government website did not show any responsibilities associated with the position.[9] [10]
List of ministers
Reception
A spokesperson for Johnson stated that the office was intended to emphasise his commitment to strengthening the bond between the countries of the United Kingdom. In July 2019, the title was described as a "cynical rebranding" by Kirsty Blackman, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons from 2017 to 2020, who advocates Scottish independence. During the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour, drew attention to Johnson's lack of contact with the Welsh Government, saying: "If you are minister for the union, speaking to the component parts of the union seems to me a sensible way of discharging those responsibilities."[12]
Related proposals
Robert Hazell has suggested merging the offices of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales into one Secretary of State for the Union,[13] in a department into which Rodney Brazier has suggested adding a Minister of State for England with responsibility for English local government.[14]
Notes and References
- Web site: . 30 July 2019 . Full list of new ministerial and government appointments: July 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190804043111/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/full-list-of-new-ministerial-and-government-appointments-july-2019 . 4 August 2019 . 31 July 2019 . gov.uk.
- News: Sparrow . Andrew . 26 July 2019 . Boris Johnson tells Merkel EU must abandon backstop if it wants Brexit deal - live news . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190727063746/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2019/jul/26/boris-johnson-prime-minister-news-latest-set-up-national-policing-board-as-he-says-hiring-20000-more-officers-will-start-within-weeks-live-news?page=with%3Ablock-5d3ad7808f08cf92bb777632#block-5d3ad7808f08cf92bb777632 . 27 July 2019 . 27 July 2019 . The Guardian.
- News: . 26 July 2019 . Boris Johnson 'absolutely' rules out pre-Brexit election . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190727003025/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49125078 . 27 July 2019 . 27 July 2019 . BBC News.
- News: Yeomans . Emma . 1 July 2019 . Boris Johnson wants extra role as 'minister for the Union' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190712114111/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-wants-extra-role-as-minister-for-the-union-h87jh6x5h . 12 July 2019 . 26 July 2019 . The Times.
- News: Woodcock . Andrew . 26 July 2019 . Boris Johnson accused of 'cynical rebranding' after appointing himself 'Minister for the Union' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190727080405/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-minister-union-scotland-independence-referendum-snp-a9022356.html . 27 July 2019 . 27 July 2019 . The Independent.
- Web site: 13 February 2020 . Ministerial appointments: February 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200214164311/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/latest-updates-on-ministerial-appointments-13-february-2020 . 14 February 2020 . 20 February 2020 . gov.uk.
- 1228037964896391168 . e_casalicchio . Confirmed facts amid #reshuffle chaos: Full Cabinet list below from Number 10 . 13 February 2020 . 20 February 2020.
- Web site: 4 September 2019 . Spending Round 2019: Departmental Settlements . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905100845/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-round-2019-document/spending-round-2019#departmental-settlements . 5 September 2019 . 6 September 2019 . gov.uk.
- Web site: . Ministerial role: Minister for the Union . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200719053618/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-for-the-union . 19 July 2020 . 25 July 2020 . gov.uk.
- News: English . Otto . 24 July 2020 . Hell of a Year: Britain Under Johnson's Rule . Byline Times . live . 25 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200726075606/https://bylinetimes.com/2020/07/24/hell-of-a-year-britain-under-johnsons-rule/ . 26 July 2020.
- News: Webster . Laura . 25 August 2020 . Boris Johnson has no responsibilities as Minister for the Union, UK Gov says . The National . live . 7 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907130048/https://www.thenational.scot/news/18673751.boris-johnson-no-responsibilities-minister-union-uk-gov-says . 7 September 2020.
- Web site: New PM hopeful pledges: Truss - 'I'll be your minister for the Union'. Sunak - 'I'll make Britain energy secure' .
- Web site: Wales further eases lockdown as first minister criticises Boris Johnson. 6 July 2020. 12 July 2020. The Guardian. Steven. Morris.
- News: Times letters: Mark Sedwill's call for a cull of the cabinet. The Times. en. subscription . 2020-11-30. 0140-0460.
- Web site: UKCLA. 2020-09-07. Rodney Brazier: Why is Her Majesty's Government so big?. 2020-11-30. UK Constitutional Law Association. en.
