PHILIP COLLINS
Reshuffle shows weakness at the heart of No 10
Boris Johnson has rewarded the cabinet's second-raters while removing anyone who might challenge his authority
Thursday February 13 2020, 5.00pm, The Times
Take back control. Get Javid Gone. In a petulant reshuffle empty of purpose, the school bullies showed the junior form who's boss. Three months ago Boris Johnson gave the CBI a categorical guarantee that Sajid Javid would remain as chancellor of the exchequer. Now he has gone for no less a reason than that the prime minister's consigliere Dominic Cummings wanted to consolidate his power base. The consequence is a cabinet full of cartoon characters, which is just as Mr Cummings wants it.
It is always telling when a prime minister goes out of his way to appoint the C-team. One of the temperamental traits that will make Mr Johnson a weak premier is that, like many people prone to displays of bravura, he is