While SW1 might be increasingly impatient for a full-on reshuffle, Boris has made a few new appointments today to his team of trade envoys, with co-conspirator favourite Kate Hoey getting Ghana, and Lord Botham getting the Australian portfolio. Guido had heard Boris was hoping to reach across the political divide with his next announcement of appointments, and Labour MP Stephen Timms is among those on the list:

• Lord Botham appointed to Australia
• Baroness Hoey appointed to Ghana
• Stephen Timms MP appointed to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• David Mundell MP appointed to New Zealand
• Mark Eastwood MP appointed to Pakistan
• Marco Longhi MP appointed to Brazil
• Conor Burns MP appointed to Canada
• Lord Walney [John Woodcock] appointed to Tanzania
• Felicity Buchan MP appointed to Iceland and Norway
• Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP appointed to Cameroon, in addition to his role as Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Egypt.

Usually these jobs go to Tory backbenchers to keep them happy in lieu of ministerial portfolios. Boris will be hoping Ian Botham can bat for business down under…

Read Guido’s full list of PPSs, party chairs and trade envoys:

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