Rudd tipped to be UK’S first female Chancellor
Christopher Hope
Gordon Rayner
AMBER RUDD will replace Philip Hammond to become Britain’s first female Chancellor if Theresa May secures a landslide victory at next week’s election, ministers have suggested to The Daily Telegraph.
Mrs May went out of her way yesterday to praise the Home Secretary for her “excellent” performance standing in for her in the BBC election debate and refused to deny that she could reward her by moving her into 11 Down- ing Street.
Senior Government sources said Ms Rudd had the qualities required to be Chancellor and that they could “see it happening”. Friends of Ms Rudd confirmed that she would accept the job if it was offered.
The choice of Ms Rudd to represent the Prime Minister at the BBC debate – which she did despite the death of her father 48 hours earlier – is clear evidence that she has become Mrs May’s most trusted lieutenant. Ms Rudd was also chosen to deliver an early-hours message to the nation after the Manchester terrorist attack last week. Meanwhile, Mr Hammond has been largely invisible during the election campaign.
One Conservative minister said Ms Rudd’s promotion to Chancellor was now a real possibility because “her stock has risen dramatically” during the campaign. The minister said: “If the Prime Minister has a very big majority she will be able to do what she likes – the bigger the majority, the bigger the reshuffle.
“Being chancellor is a political job, you do not need to be a trained economist. In fact the opposite is true – economists are usually a disaster in office as chancellor. She has the political qualities, the flexibility. I think she can do it and I can see it happening.”
If Mrs May wins a majority of fewer than 40 seats she is unlikely to swap ministers in the most senior jobs, senior Tories believe.
Another minister said: “She is collegiate and she will use the skills in her team to maximise potential.
“She will include people, she is not proud, insecure or looking over her shoulder. Good, effective ministers use the skills in their team for the benefit of the department.”