The right reshuffle?

Chris Grayling is to replace Ken Clarke as Lord Chancellor and secretary of state for justice.

The prime minister’s cabinet reshuffle this week offered Clarke the alternative post of minister without portfolio. He will remain a member of cabinet.

Grayling’s appointment marks the first time a non-lawyer has held the ancient title of Lord Chancellor. He missed out on a cabinet position last time after he expressed his opinion that owners of B&Bs who live on the premises should be allowed to turn away gay couples.

The reshuffle has been widely viewed as indicating a lurch to the right in the cabinet. Clarke is known for his reforming views on criminal justice and rehabilitation.

Home secretary Theresa May once said to him: “I lock them up, you let them out.” Clarke mocked May’s unfortunate cat anecdote at last year’s Conservative Party conference.

May told the—later discredited—story of an illegal immigrant granted leave to stay by a judge because leaving his pet cat behind would breach his human rights. Clarke dismissed the story as “laughable” and “child-like”.

Dominic Grieve retained his position of Attorney General.

However, Edward Garnier QC has been replaced in the post of Solicitor General by Oliver Heald.

Heald was a practising barrister from 1979 until 1995.

Helen Grant, who took Ann Widdecombe’s former seat in the 2010 election and has served on the justice select committee, has been appointed as joint Parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice and for women’s and equality issues.