Patel 'to be appointed chairman' after expected drubbing in locals

Priti Patel ‘to be appointed Tory chairman’ in bid to revive the party’s fortunes after an expected drubbing in the May 2022 local elections

• The Home Secretary could be moved to become Tory chairman to launch a reset
• Ms Patel is currently unpopular amongst Tories for her role and the PM is set to try and move her to a different role in a summer reshuffle
• There are fears Ms Patel and Home Office civil servants have a toxic relationship

Boris Johnson is set to appoint Priti Patel as Tory chairman in a bid to revive the party’s fortunes in the wake of an expected drubbing at next month’s local elections.

A senior Tory source said the Prime Minister is planning the move as part of a summer reshuffle, which will form the centrepiece of a major ‘reset’ designed to help the Government move on from the Partygate row.

The source said the PM saw Miss Patel as ‘ideal’ to front the Tory operation as the party gears up for a General Election expected in two years’ time

The source said the PM saw Miss Patel as ‘ideal’ to front the Tory operation as the party gears up for a General Election expected in two years’ time.

Aides to the PM are also said to be concerned that a new broom is needed at the Home Office, where the relationship between Miss Patel and parts of the civil service have become toxic.

Miss Patel has previously resisted a move to the party chairman’s role, seeing it as a demotion.

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