Politics

Tory leader LIVE: Boris ‘determined’ to promote Truss and Morgan in major Cabinet shake-up


The former foreign secretary is widely expected to defeat Jeremy Hunt when the result of the vote from the 160,000 Conservative party membership is announced on Tuesday. Mr Johnson is understood to be “determined” to give senior roles for Liz Truss and Nicky Morgan is his Cabinet as he begins a major shake-up of Theresa May’s frontbenches. According to allies of Mr Johnson, Ms Truss’ “anti-establishment” persona is set to be rewarded by becoming Chancellor – seeing off fierce competition from Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

One source told the Daily Mail: “The reason it could be Liz is Boris is, like Liz, quite anti-convention and anti-establishment. She doesn’t like the nanny state and neither does he.

“He likes rebelling against convention. Liz is the same. They share a libertarian streak. Liz would be loyal to him.”

Whilst Nicky Morgan – a former Education Secretary, is set to see a return in a senior Cabinet role.

Another insider of the Johnson camp said: “Nicky is pragmatic, she’s competent and she’s a One Nation Tory who’s adapted to Brexit.”

Others believed to be in the frame for a job include leading Brexiteer’s Esther McVey and Priti Patel.

Over the weekend Mr Johnson will mull over his appointments and is determined to create a team which can “unite the party and the country”.

Another ally of Mr Johnson said: “We have to unite the party and the country. We have to demonstrate from day one, not just in your speech but in what you do and how you structure your Cabinet.

He wants to show generosity of spirit and magnanimity and that everyone can do their job competently.”

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11.20am update: Rees-Mogg vows to do ‘anything’ to help Boris

Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he “would do anything I could” to help Boris Johnson if he wins the Tory leadership contest.

Mr Rees-Mogg did not confirm whether he had been offered a role put instead he would be willing to serve from either the front or back benches.

The European Research Group (ERG) chairman responding to a caller called Ken on his LBC phone-in, said: “I don’t know if he does, but, of course, Ken if Boris asked me to serve, of course, I would.

“I would do anything I could to help him. If he wanted me to do that in one way then I would do it.

“If he wanted me to remain on the backbenches and support him from there I would do that too.

“I have been backing him for a long time and have done so with increasing enthusiasm.

“I think he is absolutely the right answer, so I am there to help him if he needs my help.”

READ MORE: Jacob Rees-Mogg told to ‘serve his country’ and help Boris deliver Brexit – ‘He wants you’

10.45am update: EU to offer Boris shock no deal extension

The European Union is set to offer Boris Johnson a no deal Brexit extension if he wins the Tory leadership contest.

Brussels has described the reported offer as a “technical delay” as Mr Johnson faces a huge challenge to win over the backing of parliament for any Brexit deal.

A senior EU diplomat told the Guardian: “It will be described as a technical delay to save Boris from political embarrassment but then we will have time to find an agreement.”

Britain is currently due to leave the bloc on October 31.

10.30am update: Boris set to bring back Brexiteer David Davis to Government

Boris Johnson is set to bring back former Brexit Secretary, David Davis, to the Cabinet if he become the next Prime Minister.

The pair of Brexiteer’s resigned from their posts in Theresa May’s Government following the infamous Chequers meeting last summer.

However, Mr Davis is understood to only be interested in a senior position within Mr Johnson’s Government.

A source told the Daily Telegraph: “Boris wants David back but knows he will not take a job below the top rank of great offices of state.

“There’s a bond between them, a Chequers connection.

“Boris appreciates the fact that while the rest of the Cabinet sat on their hands over the deal, David did the honourable thing.”



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