Was it a progressive reshuffle or just some window-dressing? Boasting about increasing the female ratio in the cabinet rising from 14% to 24% seems pretty depressing.
Not just its tokenistic nature but the fact that, with all the advanced fanfare, more than three-quarters of those around the “big boy” table are, well, still boys.
Then there was the introduction of Michael Gove’s replacement as Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, as “a working mother”. Patronising in the extreme, to say the least, as people should be more interested in her attributes actually relevant to the role.
Mr Gove now unexpectedly finds himself in charge of making sure Tory MPs toe the line as Chief Whip. That’s the price to be paid for being a divisive figure.
The Scot’s demotion was only a little less surprising than the departure of William Hague from the Foreign Office.
As a mighty intelligent person who commanded respect on the international stage, it seems bizarre to let the former party leader quit his post, even if he is retiring from politics at the next general election.
What is allows is the start of EU renegotiations with a firm Eurosceptic, Philip Hammond, in place. As Defence Secretary he took tough and unpopular decisions to trim budgets so will not be a foreign policy wallflower. How he works alongside new EU Commissioner Lord Hill will be fascinating.
Perhaps most deserving of their promotion is the new man in charge of the defence of the UK, Michael Fallon. Having efficiently burrowed away in various roles, the Fifer has thoroughly earned his seat at the cabinet table.
This was a major revamp with a lot of moves. With just 10 months to go until the general election, don’t bet against someone dropping the ball trying to get to grips with their new brief.