PM Johnson asserts control over UK government, finance minister quits
LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson forced the resignation of his finance minister on Thursday for refusing to toe the line, a sign the prime minister was tightening his control in a government reshuffle designed to deliver his vision for Britain beyond Brexit.
Johnson, who had wanted to minimise any disruption from his long-planned cabinet revamp, quickly replaced Sajid Javid with his deputy Rishi Sunak, a loyal supporter of the prime minister who is often put before the media to sell government policy.
Johnson’s team had carefully choreographed the reshuffle, presenting it as an opportunity to foster new talent, particularly among women, while also rewarding loyalists.
But the finance minister’s resignation - which some commentators said might have been sought by Johnson’s team all along - added to a sense that the prime minister would brook no dissent.
“He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister),” a source close to Javid said.
The source said Johnson had told Javid he would have to sack his advisers and replace them with advisers from the prime minister’s Downing Street office. “The Chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms.”
Sunak, a former Goldman Sachs banker who is married to the daughter of an Indian billionaire, is seen by many Conservatives as a safe pair of hands who will easily get on board with Johnson’s agenda for a post-Brexit Britain.
David Jones, a former Brexit minister, described Sunak as “very bright” and an “excellent choice”.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-politics/pm-johnson-asserts-control-over-uk-government-finance-minister-quits-idUSKBN2062Z6