Boris says no to dissenters and the dispirited – big hitters axed in reshuffle

PM Boris Johnson has continued his programme of Boris-Cummings-politik, by carrying out a drastic cabinet reshuffle on Thursday.

This latest move comes after complaints of selective media shut-outs and an over-involvement in the selection process of the incoming BBC top brass, alongside tensions surrounding Heathrow expansion and HS2 dissenters drumming up support.

Today, the prime minister has called ministers into 10 Downing Street and has sounded the death knell for the following (former) ministers in the early knockings:

  • Julian Smith as Northern Ireland secretary
  • Andrea Leadsom as business secretary
  • Theresa Villiers as environment secretary
  • Esther McVey as housing minister
  • Nusrat Ghani as transport minister
  • Chris Skidmore as education minister
  • George Freeman as transport minister

Alongside this list – which features some considerable big-hitters – Geoffrey Cox resigned upon request as Attorney General, and we were already aware that Nicky Morgan was standing down as culture secretary.

The reshuffle comes as PM Boris attempts to tailor his cabinet towards being a team more in line with his (somewhat unclear) vision for the UK.

Shock resignation

The most recent – and perhaps most surprising – resignation was that of Sajid Javid, after being ordered to sack his advisors.

This latest move could prove seismic for the Johnson administration, though it has already been confirmed Rishi Sunak will replace Javid as Chancellor, and will likely deliver the budget in four weeks’ time.

Dominic Raab will stay on as Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel remains Secretary of State and Michael Gove retains his position as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

At the very least, the PM will continue to be comforted by his confidante and master of ceremonies, Dominic Cummings.

You’ll also be pleased to hear, Larry kept his post as Downing Street cat.

Since the Thursday session began, Sterling went up from 1.19 to 1.20 against the Euro.

Previous articleBritish house prices rise in January
Next articleMJ Gleeson see falling interim revenue from slow Strategic Land division
Jamie Gordon
Senior Journalist at the UK Investor Magazine. Also a contributing writer at the Investment Observer, UK Property Journal and UK Startup Magazine. Postgraduate of King's College London with a specialisation in Business Ethics. Interested in Development Economics and David Hume.