Boris’s reshuffle reveals his weakness

Boris Johnson’s attempted reset is underway, with a mini-reshuffle announced this afternoon. The Prime Minister has made a number of changes to his top team as part of his efforts to signal to Tory MPs that he has taken on board criticism of his operation and will improve it.  

As part of the changes, Mark Spencer has been moved from his role as chief whip to leader of the house — with Chris Heaton Harris brought in as his replacement. Jacob Rees-Mogg has been moved from leader of the house to minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency — in this role he will attend cabinet. Other appointments include Stuart Andrew moving from the whips’ office to minister of state for housing.

So, what do the appointments reveal? Ultimately this reshuffle has come from a place of weakness. Given Johnson’s recent turmoils began not with partygate but instead the botched handling of the Owen Paterson affair, the Prime Minister has been under pressure ever since then to move Spencer and Rees-Mogg from their positions.