Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

Politics

Take this quiz to work out if you could survive in Theresa May's cabinet! Please note: this quiz has been updated in light of recent events.

Can You Work Out What Would Get You Sacked As A Minister?

That's Boris Johnson, who [wrongly said that UK-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe](https://www.buzzfeed.com/aishagani/boris-johnson-has-been-told-his-statement-about-a-mother) was in Iran to train journalists (she was actually on holiday). Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been in jail for 19 months and now could potentially face a further five years. The Foreign Office insisted in a statement that his remarks were just misinterpreted.

Kept his job!

Make a basic error in a public statement that could condemn a UK citizen to five years in an Iranian jail

Boris Johnson eventually [sort of apologised](https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/boris-johnson-has-admitted-his-remarks-about-a-mother?utm_term=.guZP0dJ5ey#.gvBjOZkJxL) in parliament, saying that he was sorry if his remarks being taken "out of context" had caused "any anxiety".

Still has job.

Oh, and then fail to correct your error for days before eventually giving a begrudging sort-of apology

That's David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, who initially [refused to release the studies](https://www.ft.com/content/da48bd00-bd91-11e7-b8a3-38a6e068f464) on the impact of Brexit on 58 British industries, was eventually [ordered to by MPs and the Speaker](https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/90403/david-davis-slapped-down-speaker-over-brexit), then clarified that [this couldn't be done by the deadline](http://www.cityam.com/275300/brexit-secretary-david-davis-claims-58-sectoral-analyses) because "it is not the case that [they] exist".

Not sacked!

Claim to have 58 Brexit impact studies, refuse to make them public, then when you're ordered to release them say that actually they don't exist

This isn't from the current government, though. That would be Michael Heseltine, who [resigned over the Westland Affair](https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2016/01/lewis-baston-westland-the-heseltine-resignation-row-that-rocked-thatcher-30-years-ago-this-month.html) – a weirdly complex cabinet disagreement about the future of a struggling helicopter manufacturer in Yeovil – in 1986. It is not clear if disagreeing with the prime minister is a reason for resigning any more.

Resigned!

Disagree with the prime minister about government policy regarding a manufacturing company in Somerset

Okay, so this is now-former International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who met with a range of Israeli officials including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu while on a family holiday. Patel initially claimed the Foreign Office was aware of her meetings, before [admitting that actually they weren't](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/06/priti-patel-apologises-for-israel-meetings). Key point here: she was not immediately fired for this!

Secretly meet with the Israeli prime minister while on holiday without informing the Foreign Office

The prime minister's spokesperson then acknowledged that after the secret meetings, Patel [suggested changing British policy](https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/this-cabinet-minister-has-apologised-for-holding-undeclared) to provide aid to the Israeli army. This also did not directly trigger her losing her job.

Still not sacked!

Suggest changing British policy following those secret meetings

Finally, after [a frankly ridiculous day](https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/heres-a-complete-timeline-of-the-increasingly-batshit-story?utm_term=.xkKP5XL0Z#.ywVNpWg8w) in which she flew back from Nairobi, [Priti Patel resigned](https://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/priti-hurts?utm_term=.lukZqxG1Y#.tjK9KwB5Y). In a letter accepting her resignation, the prime minister said that she was right to resign after "futher details [had] come to light".

Actually resigned!

Have unspecified "further details... come to light" about the whole secret meetings thing

Chancellor Hugh Dalton resigned in 1947 after casually mentioning some tax details from his imminent budget to a journalist, who [published it before it was announced in Parliament](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/20/chancellor-leaked-budget-grandfather-ruined-career). Which now seems, you know, a bit odd given how these days most of the budget is briefed in advance.

Tell a journalist something that will be in the budget

International Trade minister Mark Garnier did not deny [the allegations made by a former staff member](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/29/minister-mark-garnier-conservative-admits-asking-assistant-to-buy-sex-toys) that he got her to buy sex toys for both his wife and another woman working in his constituency office, and also called her "sugar tits". His actions are being investigated by the cabinet office.

Allegedly ask your former assistant to buy sex toys

That's former chief whip and brand new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, whose appointment last week [provoked a storm of anger](https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexspence/a-lot-of-tories-are-very-unhappy-that-gavin-williamson-is?utm_term=.hgVRmj4yJ#.gd04dLz2y) from other Tory MPs, who viewed him as lacking experience and suspected him of having engineered the move himself.

Still has a job!

Be described by your colleagues as Theresa May's "biggest and probably last mistake"

[Education minister Estelle Morris resigned in 2002](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2359695.stm), in the aftermath of her department missing a target they had pledged to hit, saying "I just do not think I'm as good at it as I was at my other job", adding "I'm not having second best in a job as important as this."

Decide that on balance you're simply not the best person for the job

That's Chancellor Philip Hammond. He hasn't done anything wrong, unless you're a hardcore Brexiter, in which case you suspect him of trying to sabotage Brexit because he is a Remainer.

Still there!

Be someone every Brexiter really wants to get sacked

That would be former defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, who [stepped down following an allegation](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/04/michael-fallon-defence-secretary-sexual-harassment) that he "lunged at" and tried to kiss journalist Jane Merrick – which itself came after allegations that he'd repeatedly touched the knee of journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer. He was also accused of behaving inappropriately towards cabinet colleague Andrea Leadsom, [which he denies](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/04/michael-fallon-defence-secretary-sexual-harassment).  
At the time of writing, Fallon is the only minister to have resigned or been sacked in the past week.

Actually resigned last week!

Be accused of inappropriate behaviour by several female journalists

That's Liam Fox, who resigned as defence secretary in 2011 after it emerged that his former flatmate Adam Werrity [came along on 18 official trips](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15300751) and attended meetings with foreign officials while claiming to be an adviser to the minister despite having no official role. Liam Fox is now the Secretary of State for International Trade.

Breaking the ministerial code by inviting your friend along to official meetings on foreign trips

You may not know much about what it takes to get sacked from a ministerial post right now, but your pure and noble idealism is admirable.

Oh, bless you.

You certainly know your ministerial code, and all the things it technically doesn't cover!

About BuzzFeed Community

Community Brand Guidelines

BuzzFeed Community

Sorry, this content is <i>no longer</i> supported.

BuzzFeed Community Guidelines

BuzzFeed Community Leaderboard

BuzzFeed News has breaking stories and original reporting on politics, world news, social media, viral trends, health, science, technology, entertainment, and LGBTQ issues.

All the best animals on the internet. The snuggle is real.

BuzzFeed has breaking news, vital journalism, quizzes, videos, celeb news, Tasty food videos, recipes, DIY hacks, and all the trending buzz you’ll want to share with your friends. Copyright BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved.

BuzzFeed News | Breaking News | Original Reporting | News Analysis

Animal Pictures and Videos - Adorably from BuzzFeed

Name

Thanks for subscribing!

Stay up to date with our latest BuzzFeed video. Enter your email to subscribe!

Oops! Upload an image or add text to submit.

BuzzFeed has the hottest, most social content on the web. We feature breaking buzz and the kinds of things you'd want to pass along to your friends.

Browse links

Can You Work Out What Would Get You Sacked As A Minister?

Okay, this is a tough one after the last week, but which of these things do you think would get you sacked or make you resign as a minister in the UK government?

Can You Work Out What Would Get You Sacked As A Minister?

Okay, this is a tough one after the last week, but which of these things do you think would get you sacked or make you resign as a minister in the UK government?

Share This Article