Katy Balls Katy Balls

The aim of Boris Johnson’s reshuffle

(Getty images)

What was the purpose of Boris Johnson’s third reshuffle since becoming Prime Minister? His first reshuffle on entering 10 Downing Street back in the summer of 2019 was all about sending a message over Brexit. The one in February 2020, after Johnson won a majority of 80 in the December snap election, was aimed at getting his new look government in place. This week’s was about reform.

The new foreign secretary Liz Truss is the big winner from the reshuffle

The headlines over the reshuffle have largely focussed on who is in and who is out – of which there is plenty to digest. The shake up of Johnson’s front bench was bolder than many expected, with Dominic Raab demoted from the Foreign Office to the Ministry of Justice, and Gavin Williamson, Robert Jenrick and Robert Buckland all cast out entirely. While Buckland is viewed as being pushed out in order to make space for Raab, the others were viewed to be under performing.

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