Just over three hours after Rishi Sunak resigned as Chancellor, Boris Johnson appointed his successor. Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday evening that Nadhim Zahawi will take on the role – leaving his job as Education Secretary to enter No. 11. It comes after Zahawi spent over an hour in Downing Street following speculation he could step down. There were reports that Zahawi had said he would only stay if Johnson moved him to the Treasury, though allies of Zahawi query this version of events.
What is certain is that this is a big promotion for Zahawi, who only joined the Cabinet last autumn in the September reshuffle. Prior to that role, he had impressed as vaccines minister where he earned a reputation for delivery. Even without this promotion, Zahawi – who fled Iraq for the UK as a child – was already being talked up as a serious leadership contender should Johnson be forced out (a prospect that has increased in likelihood following today’s events).
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