Boris may be offered Brexit ‘super ministry’ in Theresa’s reshuffle
BORIS Johnson could be offered a new Brexit ‘superministry’ as part of Theresa May’s New Year reshuffle.
The Prime Minister is expected to offer him a role taking in parts of the Department for Business and major infrastructure decisions to prepare Britain for leaving the EU.
But last night allies of the Foreign Secretary said he would refuse to accept anything that looked like a demotion.
The Mail understands the longawaited reshuffle could begin as early as next week. Senior sources said it was ‘looking very likely’.
Mrs May will also embark on a domestic policy blitz in the coming weeks, with major speeches on education and the environment. A third major Brexit speech is pencilled in for February. But first the PM will stamp her authority on the Government, and inject fresh energy into the senior ministerial ranks.
Sir Patrick McLoughlin, who is seen as having underperformed as party chairman, is likely to be sacked, while Jeremy Hunt is in line for a promotion. The Health Secretary, who has been in his job for nearly eight years, is regarded as a ‘safe pair of hands’ by No.10. He has become their ‘go-to’ minister for difficult media interviews.
Despite backing Remain, he has wholeheartedly endorsed Brexit since the referendum. Mr Hunt could be offered Damian Green’s role in the Cabinet Office, or be moved to the Home Office with Amber Rudd becoming First Secretary of State.
After getting through the Budget without incident, Chancellor Philip Hammond is likely to keep his job despite months of mounting speculation he would be sacked. Other ministers thought to be facing job loss or demotion include Education Secretary Justine Greening, Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom and Business Secretary Greg Clark.
Anne Milton, a minister of state in the Department for Education, could be promoted to the Cabinet, alongside Justice minister Dominic Raab. Immigration min- ister Brandon Lewis is widely tipped to take over as party chairman. The offer to Mr Johnson could include stewardship of the Department for Business and elements of transport. It would give him a platform to speak about the opportunities offered by Brexit.
However allies said he is happy at the Foreign Office and would fight a demotion from one of the great offices of State. In the meantime, no party figures are being linked to the position. David Davis would stay as Brexit Secretary.
A new Secretary of State post would be created solely to deal with housing. No.10 is keen to capitalise on Michael Gove’s success at the Department for the Environment, where he has announced major initiatives including cutting plastic waste.
A more radical reshuffle is likely in the junior ranks as Mrs May seeks to promote talented younger MPs. In her New Year message, the PM said most Britons just wanted the Government to ‘get on and deliver a good Brexit’.
But she said it would not be the ‘limit of our ambitions’. Speaking of 2018 as a year of ‘renewed confidence and pride in our country’, Mrs May said: ‘We also have to carry on making a difference here and now on the issues that matter to people’s daily lives.’
Comment – Page 14
Inject fresh energy