By Tony O’Riley-
Prime minister Mr Johnson, is expected to start appointing his new top team after Prime Minister’s Questions this lunchtime.
A no 10 source confirmed that the prime minister will begin both the making and axing of appointments today.
“The PM will today conduct a reshuffle to put in place a strong and united team to Build Back Better.” “The PM will be appointing ministers this afternoon with a focus on uniting and levelling up the whole country,” the source said.
Michael Gove and Liz Truss are believed to be on the list for higher post in government
Other ministers expected to be on the promotion list include Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, are amongst those expected to get the axe.
Both men were conspicuously absent from the government front bench during PMQs at midday.
Gavin Williamson has faced much criticism over his handling of calls for school closures during the pandemic, and the issue of how pupils grades were to be determined in 2020 and this year.
Some observers believe the criticisms against Williamson is unfair because of the understanding that he has always been under orders in relation to what steps to take on the difficult subject of whether to open or close schools following the surge in infection reported among pupils. The government was itself as a whole undecided as to whether to leave schools open during the first lockdown, as they wavered on what to do, eventually deciding to shut schools during the three lockdowns in the Uk.
Mr. Williamson has had to take the rap for each decision related to schools at every stage.
Dominic Raab Raab has been a long time loyal ally of the prime minister, and acted on his behalf in leading press briefings during the first outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Raab is considered the deputy PM, but Boris Johnson perhaps wants to bury that perception once and for all. Mr Raab came under heavy fire over his handling of the Afghanistan crisis – when he initially tried to manage the response from a luxury holiday in Crete.
Other suspects, potentially lined up for the axe, includes, Tory party co-chair, Amanda Milling and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick , both of whom were seen apparently heading for the office after PMQs.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has also been in to see Mr Johnson, sparking speculation that his job could be offered to Mr Raab.
Bris Johnson has not made large-scale changes to his team since February last year.