May's pledge to 'refresh' Cabinet results in few changes at the top

Prime Minister Theresa May's attempt on Monday to "refresh" her ministerial team ended smelling like a pub before the smoking ban took force, as several refused to go and one resigned rather than move.

In a chaotic reshuffle that had clearly not gone according to plan, Education Secretary Justine Greening quit rather than be moved to Work and Pensions, while Business Secretary Greg Clark refused to make way for the seemingly unsackable Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The well-regarded Greening was replaced by Damian Hinds, while former television presenter Esther McVey was named Work and Pensions Secretary, taking over from David Gauke who moved to the Justice Ministry - becoming the sixth person to do the job in less than eight years.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, a staunch pro-European, remained in post, despite calls from hard-right Brexiteers for him to be fired over his insistence on a so-called "soft" Brexit.

The need to maintain a balance between 'leavers' and 'remainers' in her Cabinet effectively hobbled May from making any major changes. With her parliamentary majority effectively shot, she could not afford to risk backbench rebellions as crucial Brexit legislation passes through parliament.

The confusion that has characterised May's tenure after the Conservatives disastrous showing at the last General Election was highlighted after a statement on social media welcomed the hard-right Brexiteer Chris Grayling as party chairman was issued then deleted.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd stayed in post, while Brexit Secretary David Davis keept his job, despite coming within a whisker of being held in contempt of parliament over claims his department had completed studies on the impact of Brexit on various sections of the economy, then telling a select committee none actually existed.

Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary and man who desperately wants May's job, became a remainer of a different sort. Seemingly coated in teflon, he once again survived a series of high profile gaffes, including one which actually extended the detention of a British national in an Iranian jail, which would have sunk anyone else.

His Brexit partner-in-crime, Michael Gove, was retained at the Department for the Environment as was Liam Fox at International Trade.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire resigned unexpectedly after revealing he needed lung surgery. He was replaced by Karen Bradley, who left Culture, Media & Sport. Matt Hancock stepped into Bradley's role.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, another senior cabinet member thought to be at risk given the current winter crisis in hospitals and criticisms of underfunding of the National Health Service, was another refusnik, not only clinging on to his job, but given responsibility for social care.

Transport Secretary and hard Brexit cheerleader Chris Grayling, whom many tipped to get the sack over his failure to settle crippling rail strikes across the country and disappearing on a trip to Qatar on the day train fare rises of 3.6% came into force, escaped the chop.

Sajid Javid, the Communities Secretary, had housing added to his portfolio, while Gavin Williamson, recently promoted to Defence Secretary, stays in post.

Brandon Lewis was appointed Conservative party chairman, and a minister without portfolio. Previously he was immigration minister. He replaced Sir Patrick McLoughlin, who resigned.

David Lidington was appointed Cabinet Office minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, replacing Damian Green, who was forced to resign after making "inaccurate and misleading" statements over what he knew about claims pornography was found on his office computer in 2008.

There were also raft of junior ministerial departures to the hinterland positions of Conservative vice-chairman. It was unclear whether they were sacked or jumped.