Boris Johnson’s growing backbench problem

When will Boris Johnson reshuffle his Cabinet? It’s a question that’s asked every couple of weeks in Westminster with frequent briefings about who is up (Liz Truss, if recent ConservativeHome polls are anything to go by) and who is down (Gavin Williamson is the most recent minister to be tipped for the axe). Yet despite the talk, so far the Prime Minister has proven reluctant to refresh his top team. A hint of why can be found in the events of this week.

A series of Tory rebellions are bubbling up. As Johnson considers whether to green-light the June 21 unlocking, members of the Covid Recovery Group are once again going public with their concerns. More troubling for the government, however, is the unease behind the scenes. Despite briefings this week from Cabinet sources suggesting there will be little political price in terms of a short delay to lockdown easing, there are plenty of Tory MPs viewed as being in the centre of the party who worry about the political consequences of any delay and where the line will eventually be drawn.