Cabinet reshuffle

I really think your posts are a bit muddled Urm

SpAds = special advisors. I haven't a clue how many there are, but it would be a long list.

Dominic Cummings sacked one of Sajid Javid's SPADs, without even giving Javid notice of what he was about to do

Desperate measures in desperate times growstuff as the SPAD in question was sneaking stuff out behind Javid’s back to Philip Hammond.

In what respect do your thoughts echo those of the "Spectator"?

Considering the "Spectator" is right-wing, it's not really surprising you're in agreement, but I've missed the point you're making.

SPADS, BJ, SJ, JS,PP, DC.
For goodness sake , use people's names, at least one of them.

Seems my thoughts echo those of ‘The Soectator’ who’d have thunk it?

There's no reason why "levelling up" couldn't have taken place, Brexit or not. We'll see.

Primus inter pares is supposed to be the fundamental,guiding principle as to the relationship between the PM and his Cabinet. It’s actually irrelevant now whose Chancellor as long as he performs well on the at waves.Policy will be decided by DC and that’s it. Full steam ahead for ‘levelling up’? In your dreams

Talk about Rasputin figure.

Basically it means that Cummings is running everything.

Dominic Cummings sacked one of Sajid Javid's SPADs, without even giving Javid notice of what he was about to do. Cummings has been writing and speaking about restructuring back room staff for ages. Next in line will be the civil service and the judiciary. Soon, the government will not be accountable to anyone.

The Spectators take on this

‘The special adviser restructuring is also part of a centralisation of power that has been in the works for some time. Since Javid entered No. 11 he has been haunted by the Whitehall nickname ‘chino’ – Chancellor in name only. It touches on the idea that it is really No. 10 making the big spending decisions and Javid is simply compliant. Today’s proposals were seen on the Treasury side as a step too far on these grounds. The concern was that the combined SpAd unit would lessen the authority of the Treasury further – handing even more power to No. 10. It’s also the case that Javid previously lost two aides previously as a result of clashes with 10 Downing Street. At the time, he was said to be livid and has been keen not to repeat the same mistakes.

Yet Javid’s resignation means these new proposals will go ahead. Javid’s deputy Rishi Sunak has been appointed as his successor. He has been heavily promoted and has a month to get to grips with his new brief before presenting his first Budget. Sunak has long been seen as a rising star and is the person in the Treasury who No. 10 preferred to deal with. Sunak will be helped by the new No. 10/No. 11 special adviser unit. Sunak is a Brexiteer who has good relations both with the Prime Minister and his team. One insider suggests that their relationship will be a friendly one similar to that of David Cameron and George Osborne. What’s clear is that today’s changes mean No. 10 has taken control.’

Over my head sw I didn’t learn Latin. Sounds good though!

New Chancellor is a Brexiteer (oops, banned word but still) so it’ll be full steam ahead now for ‘levelling up’. Why not? Interest rates are at an all time low - as Labour kept telling us.
?

No Urm it’s much more complex then that. It’s a very controlling move - you can all be on the same side whilst robustly challenging each other in private, this move is to stop challenges which in a democracy are essential. Primus inter pares and all that

annepl it’s said that he disagreed with BJ over some Brexit related issues - nothing at all to do with his competence in the role sadly. I see LV paid him a very positive tribute

Surely SPADS should be singing for the same hymn sheet in No’s. 10 & 11 anyway? Makes sense.

So sorry to see Julian Smith go. Everyone I know thought he was the best SoS we've had for a while. Hard to understand.

growstuff BJ gives a whole new meaning to the phrase Teflon Man. He won’t take responsibility, he will lie, blame others, he won’t even bother to make excuses - lies are so much more effective.
Apparently now there is to be an adviser unit across Nos 10 and 11 answerable to No 10 aka DC. So the new Chancellor is a media friendly puppet

Maybe, but there are enough newbie stooges for a bit of discontent not to matter that much.

They just have to sit and wait. Whatever happens now, Johnson will be responsible for it. He can't make any excuses.

PS. I'm keeping an eye on what happens in Ireland.

Some time back there were mumblings that he’d be for the chop, but recently he was looking safe - interesting times!

The downside to having a large majority is the many discontent backbenchers ?

There were plenty of signs though. For example, Javid wanted very tight fiscal rules, which would have meant raising taxes in some way, if Johnson gets his way on spending plans. Cummings and Javid have disagreed in public and Cummings was making threatening noises about advisers just a few days ago. Apparently, the PM's team will take over the Treasury advisory role. All departments have been told to find 5% savings to fund Johnson's spending plans. The budget will be interesting - especially reading between the lines about what it will actually mean behind the spin. It's a move towards centralisation of power.

But, but, what will we do without his Brexit survey?

Well not all - I’d read about the tanks on the lawn story a while ago.

I’m surprised at the SJ resignation - all the recent commentators were wrong then!

Why is that Meryl ?