Dominic Raab’s Civil Service-secured resignation this morning leaves big shoes to fill in the Ministry of Justice. As a big name Rishi-backer, with evident willingness to take on the blob, Rishi will want to get Raab’s replacement right. Here are some of the front-runners in any mini Ri-shuffle…
- Victoria Atkins – The Times reports that Rishi will look to opt for a woman, given the current gender imbalance in cabinet. Atkins is the current Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and she has experience in the MoJ from her previous role as Prisons Minister. A successful barrister she would love this demanding brief.
- Lucy Frazer – Another former Prisons Minister tipped by the Times, Frazer is the Culture Secretary. This would be the second cabinet promotion in two months for Lucy, who has also previously worked as Solicitor General and in Justice. She has a history of replacing Raab in the MoJ, having done so as Undersecretary of State in 2018.
- Victoria Prentis – is also a Rishi-loyalist lawyer with cabinet experience. Sunak made Prentis Attorney General in October.
- Alex Chalk – A self-described “rising star”, Chalk is the token male amongst the favourites for the role. He also has a strong background in the MoJ. Chalk would fit right in round Rishi’s cabinet table, having resigned as Boris’s Solicitor General in July.
- Ed Argar – Currently a Minister of State in Justice, alongside Damian Hinds, either could be an option if Rishi wants a speedy resolution.
Place your bets…
Amidst rumours that Rory Stewart’s campaign is a ruse, that he is in fact on a suicide mission to attack and destroy the chances of “no deal Brexit” candidates we bring news that he finally has the public backing of one MP:
I am supporting @RoryStewartUK for Leader of the Conservatives. Rory is the person we need to unify the country & the party & deliver #Brexit quickly. He has the track record, energy & the ideas. Decency and pragmatism are at the heart of his approach. https://t.co/BfCREdKoCF
— Victoria Prentis MP (@VictoriaPrentis) May 27, 2019
Still needs another backer to nominate him…
Guido’s lists of MP backers are compiled from those who have advocated publicly for a candidate. Here’s who seems to be backing who so far – full spreadsheet order-order.com/backers
Get in touch with any updates…
HS2 may have hit another rail bump. The new Transport PPS, Victoria Prentis, is “strongly opposed” to building the high-speed rail link. Prentis, whose picturesque rural constituency of Banbury would see HS2 run through its eastern edge, says on her website:
“While I recognise the importance of investment in our transport network, I am strongly opposed to the building of HS2. I will continue to oppose it in principle, as I do not think it represents value for money for our taxpayers, and that the environmental costs are too high.”
Prentis, who is neighbouring MP to both David Cameron and Andrea Leadsom, will be serving under John Hayes, who has previously spoken against holding a referendum for locals to decide on HS2. This is going to be a tough square to circle…
