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Boris Johnson prepares to enter Downing St and name cabinet - live news Boris Johnson prepares to enter Downing Street and name cabinet – live news
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Boris Johnson is preparing to enter Downing Street for the first time as prime minister, as he takes on the challenge of delivering Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. The new Tory leader will take over the reins of power after Theresa May leaves No 10 for the final time on Wednesday to formally tender her resignation to the Queen. But even before his summons to the Palace to form a government following his resounding victory in the Tory leadership race, Mr Johnson was beginning to shape his top team. It will include a recall to the cabinet for Priti Patel, an ardent Brexiteer who was forced by Mrs May to resign as international development secretary over unauthorised contacts with Israeli officials. The Times reported that she was in line for the post of home secretary in the new administration. Allies said Mr Johnson was determined to create a “cabinet for modern Britain” with a record number of ethnic minority ministers and more women attending in their own right. It is likely to mean a promotion for the Indian-born Employment Minister Alok Sharma, who is expected to take his place around the top table. Unlike Ms Patel, he voted Remain in the 2016 referendum but was quick to declare his support for Mr Johnson when he threw his hat into ring following Mrs May’s decision to resign. A source close to the Tory leader said: “Boris will build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain.” A number of vacancies have opened up with the announcements by Chancellor Philip Hammond, Justice Secretary David Gauke and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart that they intend to resign before Mr Johnson take office. All three strongly oppose a no-deal Brexit and say they cannot support his commitment to take Britain out of the EU by the deadline of October 31 “do or die”. Another who may be on his way out is the Business Secretary Greg Clark, another opponent of a no-deal break. However Mr Johnson is likely to be faced by a gaggle of Brexiteer ministers who resigned from Mrs May’s government now jostling to get back in - including Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom. He is also reported to be grappling over what to do with his defeated rival for the Tory leadership, Jeremy Hunt - who was said to be resisting attempts to demote him from foreign secretary. Meanwhile Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Treasury Chief Secretary Liz Truss were being touted as possible replacements for the key post of chancellor. His appointments will be closely studied at Westminster to see if they tilt the cabinet in a more pro-Brexit direction. Mr Johnson has said he wants ministers who are prepared if necessary to leave the EU without a deal with Brussels. But with a slender Commons majority for the Tories and their DUP allies of just two, he cannot afford for his government to be too narrowly based. Mr Hammond and Mr Gauke have already warned they are prepared to join other pro-EU Tories in seeking to block a no-deal Brexit. His first confirmed appointment to the key post of chief whip - Mark Spencer who voted Remain in the referendum, but has since committed to leaving the EU - was broadly seen as a conciliatory move. Among the more junior ministerial ranks, he was said to be looking to bring on rising talent, with promotions expected for Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden and Treasury Minister Robert Jenrick. There is also expected to be a return to government for Tracey Crouch who quit last year as sports minister after clashing with the Treasury over delays to a crackdown on fixed-odds betting machines. However, formal announcements are not expected until he after he leaves the Palace following his audience with the Queen inviting him to form a government and makes the short journey by car to Downing Street. Before that, Mrs May will take Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons for a final time. She will then make a short valedictory statement outside No 10 before leaving for the last time to tender her resignation to the monarch. On entering Downing Street, Mr Johnson will also make an address to the nation - setting out his optimistic vision for the future for a post-Brexit UK. ITV’s Shehab Khan has tweeted Johnson’s comments about the former prime minister Gordon Brown’s accession to Number 10, which he said was “as democratically proper as the transition from Claudius to Nero”.
It's worth reading what Boris Johnson had to say when Gordon Brown became Prime Minister without facing a general election pic.twitter.com/nxFgKY1SVc
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has said he is open to an electoral pact with Boris Johnson, so long as the incoming PM upholds his leadership election commitment to leaving the European Union by October 31.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Farage declared that a general election is required to deliver Brexit and get any deal through the Commons, predicting that a Brexit-Tory alliance would “smash” the Labour party.
He is going to have to risk his longed-for position as PM to ensure Brexit is enacted properly.
There is no prospect of a meaningful Brexit thanks to the views of most sitting MPs. And any attempt to prorogue Parliament will lead to the PM being brought down by his own side.
The inescapable truth, therefore, is that he must hold an autumn general election. That is his only way out .. [and] for this strategy to work, he will need the support of the Brexit Party.
If he is able to convince us, then together we would electorally smash the Labour Party, he would assume a big working majority, and he would go down as one of the great leaders in British history.
However, Johnson has ruled out a deal with the Brexit party and has said he does not want an early election.
Although chancellor Philip Hammond, justice secretary David Gauke and international development secretary Rory Stewart have already announced they intend to resign before Johnson takes over the reins of power due to their opposition to a no-deal Brexit, the incoming prime minister is set to enter office with a number of new and returning faces in his cabinet.
The Times is reporting that Brexiter Priti Patel is to become home secretary in a return to the front bench after she was forced to resign from her previous role in the cabinet over unauthorised contact with Israeli officials.
Remain-voting employment minister Alok Sharma is set for promotion to a full cabinet role, while business secretary Greg Clark, who also opposes no-deal, could depart the top table.
Meanwhile, Brexiters including Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom who resigned from May’s government will be eager to return.
And what to do with the defeated candidate for leader Jeremy Hunt? He is said to be resisting attempts to demote him as foreign secretary.
Elsewhere, home secretary Sajid Javid and chief secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss have been mooted as potential replacements for Hammond as chancellor.
Of his initial backroom appointments, that of Sky chief financial officer and chief operating officer Andrew Griffith as chief business advisor to Number 10 is most striking.
Sky executive among Johnson's first appointments
The Conservative party has chosen, and today Boris Johnson will become prime minister. Here is how the day will pan out.The Conservative party has chosen, and today Boris Johnson will become prime minister. Here is how the day will pan out.
12pm: Theresa May to face off against Labour at prime minister’s questions for the final time in the House of Commons. The incoming PM is said not to be expected in the chamber for PMQ’s, as he prepares his new government.12pm: Theresa May to face off against Labour at prime minister’s questions for the final time in the House of Commons. The incoming PM is said not to be expected in the chamber for PMQ’s, as he prepares his new government.
2pm: After saying goodbye to her staff and giving a brief speech outside of Number 10 Downing Street, May will travel to Buckingham Palace to formally resign to the queen before heading to her constituency home in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Shortly after his predecessor has left the palace, Johnson will go to see Elizabeth II where she will appoint him as prime minister.2pm: After saying goodbye to her staff and giving a brief speech outside of Number 10 Downing Street, May will travel to Buckingham Palace to formally resign to the queen before heading to her constituency home in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Shortly after his predecessor has left the palace, Johnson will go to see Elizabeth II where she will appoint him as prime minister.
4pm: Johnson will be driven to Downing Street where he will address the nation for the first time in his new job before meeting the staff in his new home. Sky News is reporting that he will then be given an urgent security briefing.4pm: Johnson will be driven to Downing Street where he will address the nation for the first time in his new job before meeting the staff in his new home. Sky News is reporting that he will then be given an urgent security briefing.
5pm: In one-on-one meetings his parliamentary office in the House of Commons, Johnson is expected to sack the majority of the current Cabinet.5pm: In one-on-one meetings his parliamentary office in the House of Commons, Johnson is expected to sack the majority of the current Cabinet.
7.30pm: Back in Downing Street, the new prime minister will begin installing his new heads of department, and is reportedly aiming to have at least 12 Cabinet positions filled by 10pm.7.30pm: Back in Downing Street, the new prime minister will begin installing his new heads of department, and is reportedly aiming to have at least 12 Cabinet positions filled by 10pm.
As my colleagues Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot report, Johnson is already “love-bombing” centre-ground MPs as speculation swirls over the makeup of his first cabinet.As my colleagues Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot report, Johnson is already “love-bombing” centre-ground MPs as speculation swirls over the makeup of his first cabinet.
Ambition fulfilled for Boris Johnson. But what next for Britain?Ambition fulfilled for Boris Johnson. But what next for Britain?
Here’s what the papers had to say about the PM in waiting overnight, courtesy of my colleague Kate Lyons.Here’s what the papers had to say about the PM in waiting overnight, courtesy of my colleague Kate Lyons.
'Meet the new dude at No 10': papers greet Boris Johnson's victory'Meet the new dude at No 10': papers greet Boris Johnson's victory
Meanwhile, the EU has dismissed as “rubbish” Johnson’s claims that the impact leaving the EU with no deal would be tempered by a series of “side deals” he claimed the UK has already agreed with Brussels, as our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll reports.Meanwhile, the EU has dismissed as “rubbish” Johnson’s claims that the impact leaving the EU with no deal would be tempered by a series of “side deals” he claimed the UK has already agreed with Brussels, as our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll reports.
Boris Johnson's claims of 'side deals' are 'pure rubbish', EU saysBoris Johnson's claims of 'side deals' are 'pure rubbish', EU says