British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday reshuffled her cabinet and brought a party rival, Michael Gove, into the government, in a bid to unite her Conservatives Party after losing the parliamentary majority.
May confirmed most of the ministers from her previous cabinet and also appointed Gove, a long-serving cabinet minister who had clashed with May when she was home secretary, as environment secretary.
Gove was last year sacked by May in one of her first acts after her appointment as party leader.
The pro-Brexit campaigner showed surprise at the news of appointment, saying he "genuinely didn't expect this role."
"I am delighted to be part of the government, I am delighted to be able to support Theresa to ensure that we have a government capable of delivering on the people's wishes," he told Sky News.
Michael Gove, who has been made environment secretary, leaves 10 Downing Street on June 11, 2017 in London, England. /VCG Photo
May needs to unite a disillusioned party around her to not only support her in the Brexit talks but also to strike a deal with a small Northern Irish party that will enable her to stay in power, reported Reuters.
"What I'm doing now is actually getting on with the immediate job. And I think that's what's important, I think that's what the public would expect. They want to see government providing that certainty and stability," she said.
"What I've done today is see people from across the party accepting the invitation to be in my cabinet, and crucially I've brought in talent from across the whole of the Conservative Party. I believe that's important."
May also made Damian Green, former work and pensions secretary, her deputy by naming him first secretary of state.
In addition to the Brexit negotiations, the Conservative leader added the government would be tackling issues such as education, "the need for more housing" and a "proper mental health legislation that is going to support people."
May had previously vowed to deliver successful Brexit negotiations and said her government would work for everyone. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed his backing of May and said she was the best person to deliver Britain's exit from the European Union.
May is seeking a deal with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to prop up the Conservative minority administration.
Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arlene Foster addresses journalists in Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 9, 2017. /VCG Photo
However, according to a poll conducted by the Sunday Times since the general election, 48 percent of people thought May should step down with 38 percent saying she should stay.
Britain has seen an eventful year after it voted to leave the European Union. Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming promised to May that whatever the result of the general election, the China-UK relationship would stay strong.
"In a world of uncertainties, the sound bilateral relationship between our two countries will always be a certainty," said the ambassador.
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