Arch-Brexiteers demand place in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet to provide a ‘ring of steel’ against ‘Remain’ Tories – The Sun
ARCH-BREXITEERS are demanding a place in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet to provide a “ring of steel” against ‘Remain’ Tories and civil servants.
Sources claim Steve Baker is pushing to be Brexit Secretary and other Eurosceptics are lobbying Boris for key jobs amid fears he will wobble and water down his ‘Do or Die’ pledge to leave by October 31.
It comes as Brexiteer Tories worry that the bookies’ odds-on leadership favourite will only make minor changes to the make-up of the existing Cabinet.
And they fear Boris has done “nowhere near enough” planning for how he plans to enter pivotal negotiations with the EU.
One Eurosceptic told The Sun: “There needs to a Praetorian Guard – a ring of steel – around Boris so he doesn’t fold when faced with Whitehall.”
They added: “People are worried. There’s all this talk of Sajid (Javid) being made Chancellor, Liz going into Business. They’re born again Brexiteers – remember they both voted Remain.
“Boris needs to remember who’s got him here in the first place.”
The comments threaten to reignite the growing split in ‘Team Boris’ as Mr Johnson tries to keep different wings of the party together. Health
Secretary Matt Hancock shifted to supporting Boris after insisting a No Deal wasn’t an option.
But the self-styled ‘Spartans’ such as Steve Baker and Mark Francois have argued for a managed No Deal – or ‘clean’ Brexit.
Insiders suggested Boris will run out of places to put arch Eurosceptics in his Cabinet given the need to keep different factions on side.
Ex-Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is said to be pushing for Northern Ireland Secretary. Boris is also expected to promote long-time ally Ben
Wallace to Defence, but keep Penny Mordaunt in the Cabinet.
He is also under pressure to find posts for Oliver Dowden – David Cameron’s former deputy chief of staff – and upcoming Tories such as Rishi Sunak.
Pensions Minister Alok Sharma is said to be keen on moving to Housing.
Liz Truss played down speculation she’s demanding a move to Chancellor – saying she would happy to simply help unleash the economy.
Sources claim she will become Business Secretary.
Steve Baker declined to comment.
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