Minister for the Union

The Minister for the Union is a position created by Boris Johnson during his first ministry,[1][2][3] to be held concurrently with his duties as Prime Minister.[4] Johnson proposed the position during the 2019 Conservative Party leadership campaign.[5] The office is intended to emphasise Johnson's commitment to strengthening the bond between the countries of the United Kingdom.[3] He is the first Prime Minister to adopt the title.[6]

Minister for the Union
Royal Arms of Her Majesty's Government
Flag of the United Kingdom
Incumbent Boris Johnson since 26 July 2019
Seat	Westminster, London
Appointer	Monarch
Term length	At Her Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder	Boris Johnson
Formation	26 July 2019

In July 2019 the title was described as a "cynical rebranding" by Kirsty Blackman, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons from 2017-2020, who advocates Scottish independence.[6]

On 4 September 2019, the Government announced £10 million in funding to support the Prime Minister's work as Minister for the Union.[7]

The post has been retained by Johnson in his second ministry.[8][9] During the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020 Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour, drew attention to Johnson's lack of contact with the Welsh Government, saying "If you are minister for the union, speaking to the component parts of the union seems to me a sensible way of discharging those responsibilities."[10]

Responsibilities

In July 2020, one year after its creation, the gov.uk website continued to show no responsibilities associated with this position.[11][12]

List of Ministers

Name	Portrait	Took office	Party		Ref
Boris Johnson		26 July 2019 (2019-07-26)		Conservative	[3][6]

References

1. "Full list of new ministerial and government appointments: July 2019". GOV.UK. 30 July 2019. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
2. Sparrow, Andrew (26 July 2019). "Boris Johnson tells Merkel EU must abandon backstop if it wants Brexit deal - live news". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
3. "Boris Johnson 'absolutely' rules out pre-Brexit election". BBC News. 26 July 2019. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
4. Minister for the Union is distinct from the office of PM; it is listed separately from Prime Minister and its ex officio titles of First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service. See: "Full list of new ministerial and government appointments: July 2019". Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019. "Ministerial appointments: February 2020". Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020. @e_casalicchio (13 February 2020). "Confirmed facts amid #reshuffle chaos: 🚩Full Cabinet list below from Number 10" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
5. Yeomans, Emma (1 July 2019). "Boris Johnson wants extra role as 'minister for the Union'". The Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
6. Woodcock, Andrew (26 July 2019). "Boris Johnson accused of 'cynical rebranding' after appointing himself 'Minister for the Union'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
7. "Spending Round 2019: Departmental Settlements". gov.uk. 4 September 2019. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
8. "Ministerial appointments: February 2020". GOV.UK. 13 February 2020. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
9. @e_casalicchio (13 February 2020). "Confirmed facts amid #reshuffle chaos: 🚩Full Cabinet list below from Number 10" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 February 2020 – via Twitter.
10. Morris, Steven (6 July 2020). "Wales further eases lockdown as first minister criticises Boris Johnson". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
11. "Ministerial role: Minister for the Union". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
12. English, Otto (24 July 2020). "Hell of a Year: Britain Under Johnson's Rule". Byline Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.