Brexiteers step up as new PM Theresa May recruits for top jobs to reunite Tories
Theresa May to surround herself with Brexit backers as she makes important reshuffle
KEY Brexiteers were being lined up for top jobs last night as Theresa May planned a Cabinet reshuffle.
Shoe fan Mrs May is taking big steps to reunite the Tories after months of civil war.
The new Prime Minister needs to surround herself with Brexit backers after campaigning for Remain in the EU referendum.
Leading Leave campaigners Liam Fox and David Davis will rocket from the backbenches to senior posts and Cabinet Eurosceptic Chris Grayling is expected to get a promotion — possibly replacing Mrs May as Home Secretary.
Justice Secretary Michael Gove will also be kept in the fold after his failed leadership bid.
Mrs May will usher in a new era by ditching George Osborne as Chancellor and putting key allies in vital “enforcer” roles such as Chief Whip and Tory Chairman.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond is expected to take over at the Treasury.
But Mr Osborne could be offered the olive branch of Mr Hammond’s job or a beefed up Business Secretary role attracting global trade.
In a headline-grabbing move, Mrs May is expected to unveil Britain’s first female Defence Secretary with Amber Rudd, Anna Soubry or Penny Mordaunt likely to replace Michael Fallon, who is tipped to be Chief Whip or Commons Leader.
Aides of Mrs May said the theme of her reshuffle would be “unity and stability”, with the top team set to be unveiled this week.
Key to the jigsaw is who to appoint as the new “Secretary of State for Brexit”, negotiating the UK’s departure from the EU.
Ex-Defence Secretary Dr Fox is favourite for the role. Veteran Eurosceptic Mr Davis is also in the frame but is expected to get a job bringing the party back together.
A number of Mrs May’s trusted lieutenants who helped run her leadership campaign will be rewarded.
They include Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, International Development Secretary Justine Greening and former Home Office Minister Damian Green.
Leadership rivals Stephen Crabb and Andrea Leadsom are likely to be offered posts in line with tradition after both made clear they would serve under Mrs May.
But a huge question mark hangs over Boris Johnson — as he would want a huge job which the new PM could be reluctant to offer.
THE SHOE-INS
PHILIP HAMMOND
The big-hitting Foreign Secretary is heavily tipped to become the new Chancellor if, as expected, Mrs May moves George Osborne.
LIAM FOX
Leading Leave campaigner and former Defence Secretary is thought to be in line for another big job, possibly in a new “Brexit Secretary” role.
DAVID DAVIS
Veteran Eurosceptic also a possibility for “Brexit Secretary” or Chief Whip.
A senior Tory whose ambitions were frustrated under David Cameron.
CHRIS GRAYLING
A prominent Brexiteer who ran Mrs May’s leadership campaign.
Could replace her as Home Secretary or take over at Work and Pensions.
BRANDON LEWIS
Housing Minister and Remain campaigner who was a key May cheerleader is due a promotion, probably to Transport Secretary.
AMBER RUDD
Energy Secretary who came out early as a May supporter is thought to be due a promotion and could get it as Home Secretary or Defence Secretary.
FOOT IN THE DOOR
BORIS JOHNSON
Will have to watch from the sidelines as May takes the job he has always coveted.
Could be offered Cabinet job, but would he take it?
Apart from the Foreign Office or Home Office — which look destined to go to others — only a really major post such as Defence Secretary would tempt him.
Might decide he is better to rebuild his career from the backbenches.
Aides refused to be drawn on whether he would serve at all.
GEORGE OSBORNE
On his way out as Chancellor but could be handed plum job as Foreign Secretary or beefed up Business Secretary role with globe-trotting trade responsibility.
Handing him Foreign Secretary could anger Tory Brexiteers who do not want a Remain campaigner in the job.
He seems keen for a job though — as he appeared on camera within minutes of Mrs May being named as leader to congratulate her while on a trip in New York.
ANDREA LEADSOM
Supporters want her to be given a major Brexit-negotiating role but she may have to settle for a promotion to Energy Secretary.
MICHAEL GOVE
Justice Secretary and leadership rival is likely to stay in his current job.
But could get promoted to Foreign Secretary if Mrs May wants a Brexiteer in the role.
STEPHEN CRABB
Beaten leadership hopeful should get job and could stay as Work and Pensions Secretary but sexting scandal revelations may have hurt him.
MICHAEL FALLON
Defence Secretary and one of Mrs May’s closest allies is tipped for “party unity” role as Commons Leader, Chief Whip or Chairman.
JUSTINE GREENING
International Development Secretary could move to the Treasury as Chief Secretary, or push social justice agenda at Work and Pensions department.
JAMES BROKENSHIRE
Long-suffering Immigration Minister due a promotion.
Outside shot for Home Secretary, otherwise Cabinet Office or Environment could beckon.
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THE LOST SOLES
NICKY MORGAN
Education Secretary called for women in the leadership race and then backed Mr Gove.
Has failed to impress in her current role.
THERESA VILLIERS
The Northern Ireland Secretary is expected to face the axe, possibly to make way for long-standing May ally Mike Penning.
She has spoken of wanting to stay.
JOHN WHITTINGDALE
Another Brexiteer who is not expecting the phone to ring as Mrs May settles on her Cabinet.
Backed Mr Gove in his leadership bid.
ROBERT HALFON
The Tory Deputy Chairman, who confessed to a six-month affair with a Tory activist late last year, is set for the bullet as Mrs May brings the party together.
PATRICK McLOUGHLIN
Veteran Transport Secretary long been expected to make way for young blood after EU referendum vote, despite being another May cheerleader.
MARK HARPER
David Cameron’s Chief Whip could be out the door as Mrs May stamps her own authority on MPs.
Worked for the new leader while in the Home Office.