Theresa May has had plenty to ponder over the last few days. You might have heard.
After calling a General Election she had absolutely no need to call, she watched the Conservative party lose an overall majority in parliament.
Having so far resisted calls to step down as prime minister, May has responded with a Cabinet reshuffle – details of which began to emerge on Sunday afternoon.
It was the return to frontline politics of one man, however, that caused most surprise. Michael Gove, the former Education and Justice Secretary, has been appointed by May as the Environment Secretary.
Gove, who campaigned for Leave in last summer’s European Referendum, replaces Andrea Leadsom in the role, following her move to the position of leader of the House of Commons.
As you might expect, the news of Gove’s surprise return caused quite a reaction.
He's back – Michael Gove arriving in Downing Street…
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) June 11, 2017
Some suggested it was an appointment that showed May’s utter desperation following the events of the last week.
May's arch-nemesis Michael Gove returns as Environment Secretary – a mark of how weakened she is.
— George Eaton (@georgeeaton) June 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Psythor/status/873956554831273985
Larry the Cat had his say…
Michael Gove is in the building.
This is not a drill!
Theresa May has gone full "sod them" on the electorate.#reshuffle #kitileaks— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) June 11, 2017
And Tom Wilson used block capitals for the obligatory fields of wheat comment…
https://twitter.com/feedthedrummer/status/873964056901804032
Some were doubtful that bringing Gove would help unify the country…
Yeah cause bringing Michael Gove back to the Cabinet seems like a great way to unify the UK!
— harry (@harrybasnett) June 11, 2017
Whereas others had little confidence in the news that he was to be in charge of environmental issues.
https://twitter.com/RuaridhBrannan/status/873964768943636480
https://twitter.com/_ellacook/status/873964740711731201
Michael Gove is back. The new Environment Secretary. So I guess they'll be opening more coal power stations and burning teachers for fuel.
— Darren Smith (@wallythebus) June 11, 2017
And with so many young voters getting behind Jeremy Corbyn last week, Anders here points out that appointing Michael Gove probably won’t do much in the way of bringing them back towards the Tories.
https://twitter.com/ASGJay/status/873964734697148417
