James Forsyth James Forsyth

Boris has tightened his iron grip on government

This is the LDC reshuffle: loyalty, discipline and competence. Number 10 wants to ensure this government is all singing from the same hymn sheet. The desire for a joint Number 10 / 11 operation is the product of that. Sajid Javid’s refusal to sign up to the scheme made Number 10 think he wasn’t on board with this, which led to his resignation.

This joint Number 10 / 11 operation creates a very powerful force at the centre of government. Number 10, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office are now effectively yoked together. Under this set-up, no department will have any chance of resisting what the centre wants. Expect this new power base to focus relentlessly on delivery, with departments being hauled over coals on their progress – or, lack thereof – on delivering the Tories’ manifesto commitments.

Under this new set-up, no department will have any chance of resisting what the centre wants

Looking at the rest of the reshuffle you can see the LDC theme.

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