Cabinet is split as it tackles lockdown dilemma
Now he is effectively running the country, it is hard to believe that Dominic Raab was eliminated in the race to be Tory leader by Rory Stewart.
Having positioned himself as the hardest Eurosceptic candidate, Mr Raab had assembled an impressive team of former Vote Leave operatives to run his campaign but failed to progress to the contest’s third stage.
His departure proved to be Boris Johnson’s gain, with Mr Raab’s Brexiteer supporters flocking en masse to the former London mayor.
Although not natural bedfellows despite their shared Euroscepticism, the Prime Minister rewarded Mr Raab by not only making him his successor at the Foreign Office but First Secretary, his de facto deputy.
The move was particularly significant since, under Theresa May’s government, David Lidington, the previous holder of Michael Gove’s post as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, had served as her deputy.
It seemed as if the Prime Minister still hadn’t forgiven Mr Gove, his fellow former Vote Leave frontman, for stabbing him in the back during the 2016 leadership race. As one Tory source put it: “Boris deliberately named Raab his deputy because he doesn’t trust Gove.”
While that political psychodrama – and even last June’s leadership race – might feel like a lifetime ago, those complicated dynamics at the heart of the Conservative Party could have a significant bearing on how the Government behaves in the days to come, and, crucially, when it lifts the lockdown.
With the Prime Minister nister in intensive care battling g worsening symptoms s of coronavirus, he will not be able to enforce directly his s libertarian view, shared red by colleagues such as Chancellor hancellor Rishi Sunak, far right, t, that the lockdown should end sooner rather than later against nst those who believe the draconian measures should continue until the boffins say otherwise, such as Matt Hancock, below left, and Mr Gove.
While the Health Secretary’s pro-nhs stance is understandable – his job is to protect lives after all – Mr Gove’s more hardline approach could prove problematic for colleagues keen to remain loyal to the PM. The former education, justice and environment secretary was at one point said to be advocating the kind of measures brought in by President Emmanuel Macron in France, where those on the move have to be able to justify their journey on a printed ministry document.
Although forced into 14 days’ self-isolation yesterday morning when a family member started displaying symptoms of co coronavirus, Mr Gove insists he will continue to work as normal.
Described by one Tory source as “on manoeuvres manoeuv 24 hours a day, seven days a week, w 12 months a year”, fears had been growing among Mr Johnson’s key allies that his former leadership lead rival may seek to capitalise c on the vacuum created by his absence to assert his authority on the Government’s response to Covid-19.
Naturally, Mr Gove’s allies point to a degree of “party paranoia” over his undoubted intellectual prowess and proven track record of shaking up departments. “To be fair to Michael, I think even he recognises that this is not the time to be on manoeuvres,” said one ministerial colleague.
“He’s always been very eager to step up to the plate, which is undoubtedly a good thing in a crisis. He’s the most experienced minister Boris has got and a very good media operator.”
Yet, despite Mr Gove’s undeniable talents, it is Mr Raab whom Mr Johnson has personally selected to deputise, which will ill count for a great deal in the Cabinet. . “There is huge loyalty to the PM, and if Dom is the man he has chosen osen then there is huge loyalty ty to Dom,” said one Cabinet minister. “It’s lucky Boris did make ke clear who should deputise in his absence, otherwise there could uld have been fireworks.” ks.”
Another Tory source urce described Mr Raab b as a “loyal machine man” whom the PM can trust “implicitly”. “Dom is intelligent and reasonably strong- willed but not someone constantly on manoeuvres. Once he’s in, he’s in.”
Yet, when it comes to reviewing the lockdown as planned this Friday, cabinet ministers are said to be asking themselves “What would Boris do?” rather than Mr Raab or anyone else.
As one explained: “The loyalty to Boris isn’t just because he’s the boss, it’s because there is huge personal affection for him within the party.”
Having stressed the “incredible team spirit” behind the Prime Minister during a TV interview on Monday night, Mr Raab will be guiding a Cabinet collective that has been chosen for its loyalty to No 10.
He also h has his own heavyweight Cabinet a allies, such as Home Secretar Secretary Priti Patel, to whom he has alwa always been close both politicall politically and personally, and Internati International Development Secretary Anne Marie-trevelyan. Mr Raab will also be able to cou count on the support of Bo Boris loyalists like Gavin W Williamson, the Education Se Secretary, Leader of the
Commons Jacob Rees-mogg and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Business Secretary Alok Sharma are described as “completely loyal to No 10”.
And while Mr Hancock is wary of lifting the lockdown too soon for fear of overwhelming doctors and nurses, one insider described him as “smart enough not to overplay his hand”, adding: “His entire political reputation rests on his handling of this crisis.”
Yet, as one Cabinet minister pointed out, the decision as to when to lift the restrictions is likely to be more influenced by external pressures than internal ones. “This is why the PM has managed this crisis so well,” they said. “He made sure he imposed lockdown when the country was ready, and by the same token it will only be lifted when the country is ready.”
Ironically, Mr Johnson’s sudden admission to hospital may even have the consequence of extending the lockdown. The Cabinet minister said: “What has happened to Boris makes the country even more accepting of the need for the lockdown when they see the PM is fighting for his life.”