Nick Clegg confirmed as deputy prime minister in new-look Cabinet
Nick Clegg confirmed as deputy prime minister in David Cameron's new-look Cabinet
Tuesday, 11, May 2010 11:58
By Matthew Champion.
Nick Clegg will become the most senior Liberal politician in office for almost a century after being confirmed as deputy prime minister of the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.
The Lib Dem leader was handed the post after David Cameron entered No 10 as prime minister following agreement on a coalition between the two men's parties and the resignation of Gordon Brown.
In the first coalition government in the UK for 70 years, George Osborne will be the next chancellor, despite expectations he could lose his post to either Ken Clarke or Vince Cable.
William Hague and Liam Fox will be foreign and defence secretaries respectively, while David Laws is expected to get one of the five Cabinet posts afforded the Lib Dems as children's secretary.
Dr Cable is certain to be named in the Cabinet, as is Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Chris Huhne and Mr Clegg's chief of staff Danny Alexander.
The home secretary brief is not expected to go to the Tory's current spokesperson on the issue Chris Grayling, with either Michael Gove or Mr Huhne getting the job. Mr Alexander is likely to be named Scottish secretary meanwhile.
In terms of policy the new coalition government has set cutting the deficit as its main priority, while Lib Dem plans on income tax and pupil premiums are being adopted.
Five-year fixed-term parliaments are to be legislated for, while a Tory cap on immigration and an agreement to not join the euro or move closer to Europe has been agreed upon.
A freedom bill extending Freedom of Information laws, repealing ID cards and biometric passports will also be introduced.