Changes

In recent years, some ex-ministers (notably [[Clare Short]]) have alleged that under the government of current prime minister [[Tony Blair]], Cabinet meetings have lost their decision-making role; according to a former senior civil servant, Lord Butler, the Blair cabinet "took one decision in eight months", with other decisions being made by the Prime Minister and his close advisers.<ref>[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/tonyblair/story/0,,2090574,00.html Blair cabinet 'took one decision in eight months'], Guardian Unlimited, 29 May 2007</ref>

In recent years, some ex-ministers (notably [[Clare Short]]) have alleged that under the government of current prime minister [[Tony Blair]], Cabinet meetings have lost their decision-making role; according to a former senior civil servant, Lord Butler, the Blair cabinet "took one decision in eight months", with other decisions being made by the Prime Minister and his close advisers.<ref>[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/tonyblair/story/0,,2090574,00.html Blair cabinet 'took one decision in eight months'], Guardian Unlimited, 29 May 2007</ref>

==Current members of the Cabinet '''(as of mid June 2007)'''==

==Current members of the Cabinet '''(as of December 2007)'''==

This is the current composition of the Cabinet following the reshuffle on May 5, 2006:<ref>[http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page1371.asp Her Majesty's Government] at the 10 Downing Street official website</ref>

This is the current composition of the Cabinet following the selection of Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister of Great Britan on December 7, 2007:<ref>[http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page1371.asp Her Majesty's Government] at the 10 Downing Street official website</ref>

*[[Prime Minister]]: [[Tony Blair]]

*[[Prime Minister]], First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service: [[Gordon Brown]]

*[[Deputy Prime Minister]]: [[John Prescott]]

*[[Deputy Prime Minister]]: [[John Prescott]]

*[[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]: [[Gordon Brown]]

*[[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]: [[Alistair Darling]]

*Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: [[Margaret Beckett]]   

*Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: [[David Miliband]]   

*Secretary of State for the Home Department: [[John Reid]]   

*Secretary of State for Foreign and [[Commonwealth]] Affairs :  David Miliband  

*Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and Secretary of State for Justice: [[Lord Falconer of Thoroton]]

*Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor: [[Jack Straw]]

*Lord President of the Council and Leader of the [[House of Lords]]: Baroness Amos 

*Secretary of State for the Home Department: [[Jacqui Smith]]

*Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons: [[Jack Straw]]

*Secretary of State for Defence; and, Secretary of State for [[Scotland]]: [[Des Browne]]

*Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government: [[Ruth Kelly]]

*Secretary of State for Health: [[Alan Johnson]]   

*Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: [[Tessa Jowell]]

*Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: [[Hilary Benn]]   

*Secretary of State for Defence: [[Des Browne]]

*Secretary of State for International Development: [[Douglas Alexander]]  

*Secretary of State for Education and Skills: [[Alan Johnson]]   

*Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: [[John Hutton]]   

*Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: [[David Miliband]]   

*Leader of the House of Commons (and Lord Privy Seal); Minister for Women; and Labour Party Chair: [[Harriet Harman]]

*Secretary of State for Health: [[Patricia Hewitt]]

*Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; and Secretary of State for [[Wales]]: [[Peter Hain]]   

*Secretary of State for International Development: [[Hilary Benn]]   

*Secretary of State for Transport: [[Ruth Kelly]]

*Secretary of State for [[Northern Ireland]] and Secretary of State for [[Wales]]: [[Peter Hain]]   

*Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government: [[Hazel Blears]] 

*Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: [[Alistair Darling]]

*Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip: [[Geoff Hoon]]

*Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland: [[Douglas Alexander]]

*Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families: [[Ed Balls]]   

*Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: [[John Hutton]]   

*Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: [[Ed Miliband]]   

*Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: [[Hilary Armstrong]]   

*Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: [[James Purnell]] 

*Minister without Portfolio and Party Chair: [[Hazel Blears]]   

*Secretary of State for [[Northern Ireland]]: [[Shaun Woodward]]   

*Chief Secretary to the Treasury: [[Stephen Timms]]   

*Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury: [[Jacqui Smith]]

*Chief Secretary to the Treasury: [[Andy Burnham]]   

*Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills: [[John Denham]]

==The Shadow Cabinet==

==The Shadow Cabinet==