We need someone to challenge the mandarins of the Treasury

Loyalty is admirable. Loyalty to a regressive, statist, civil servantled department is, however, unwise and unhelpful, especially in our post-brexit beginnings. The Treasury has, for political generations, been just such a department. It has since time immemorial tussled with

‘We are in a time when ministers need the courage to overrule civil servants and believe in our country’

No 10 for supremacy, and as the saying goes, money talks: the Treasury holds the purse strings. Sajid Javid was, in part, appointed to get the Treasury to buy into the Prime Minister’s vision. He failed – but that may open the way for genuine financial reform.

Although most people were surprised that Mr Javid resigned yesterday, I suspect few Brexit supporters will mourn his departure.

Many will remember his flirtation with Vote Leave only to return to his friend and mentor, George Osborne’s, side to call for the public to vote Remain. As soon as the results were in, he was back on the “I always supported Leave really” team but I doubt that I am alone in harbouring suspicions that his motivations were more career orientated than based on principle. Not for a second do I doubt his capability and, despite so many hopes that he could transform the turgid Treasury being dashed, I do not question his ability. I do query his desire to enact change and his commitment to ensuring our country has a gloriously successful sovereign future; allowing businesses, start ups, manufacturing and workers to flourish.

Boris Johnson is no economist or bean counter. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and his strength is in leading, in being decisive, in bringing people with him as he forges paths into pastures new.

That is what we need as we rediscover our freedom to self rule and find our role in the new global order. Over recent weeks it had become increasingly clear that while the Prime

Minister wanted to be bold, progressive and dynamic, the Chancellor preferred safety, comfortable familiarity and control. The two were incompatible. Something had to give.

Once again Boris proved his poker playing credentials (which will be crucial in securing good trade deals) – and Sajid blinked. With the appointment of Rishi Sunak as the new Chancellor it is assumed the power has shifted back to No 10. In my view, such assumptions are premature.

What Brexit needs, what the UK needs, is a Chancellor unafraid to challenge the economic orthodoxies of the mandarins and advisers within the Treasury. It is not impossible that an inexperienced Cabinet minister may be just the person to do so. Just as

Michael Gove shook up education in his first ever ministerial role, perhaps 39-year-old Rishi (with just seven months’ experience of a senior ministerial post) will not have been sucked into the “Whitehall knows best” culture for which the Treasury is so renowned.

We are in a time when not only do ministers need to have the courage to overrule their civil servants but we need ministers who believe in our country, its future and its potential. As a Leave supporter Rishi has demonstrated his belief in our nation but as for his backbone in standing up not only for his own beliefs but against his officials and potentially the Prime Minister, we shall see.

Mr Javid fell on his sword yesterday to defend advisers within the department that spearheaded Project Fear. As a Brexiteer and a Conservative, I am delighted he did so. He has handed his successor a golden opportunity to reformulate our economic outlook at a moment when that is exactly what needs to happen.