In 1962 the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan set about stripping his cabinet of his detractors and critics it was at the time the bloodiest cabinet reshuffle of all time and was called 'the night of the long knives' in reference to the move carried out by Adolf Hitler when he killed critics in Nazi Germany.
Since then there have been numerous cabinet changes and reshuffles, however the cabinet reshuffle that happened last night under the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has echoes of Macmillan's night of long knives in spades. Johnson has culled most of the cabinet that served under Theresa May. Even before we had the new cabinet a string of Secretary's resigned Phillip Hammond, David Gauke and Rory Stewart were high profile MP's who left before the incoming Prime Minister had even walked through the doors at No. 10.
So who are the new Secretary's of state that are going to be running our country? This is the most right wing cabinet I can recall and can't remember a time when there were as many hard right MP's in it and that has ever been created. In the home office is Pritti Patel who at one point was in support of the death penalty and resigned from her previous position of International development secretary after it was reported by the BBC's James Lansdale that she had in the region of twelve secret meetings in Israel with out informing the FOC or the Prime Minister Theresa May.
A strange move by Johnson is getting rid of Penny Mourdant who voted to leave from defence she has been replaced by Ben Wallace.
In other shock appointments Mr. Johnson has appointed Gavin Williamson who was sacked by Mrs. May for leaking sensitive information about Huawei. This is is a very worrying trend of bringing back politicians like Williamson and Patel. In any other time a politician who bought the goverment into disrepute would be banished. Now they are being welcomed back with open arms.
In a sheer act of what I can only describe as nepotism Jo Johnson is back in the goverment fold this time as secretary. Mr Johnson (Jo) resigned his post as university secretary to campaign for another referendum but has conveniently forgotten that fact. Other MP's who have had similar memory gaps is Nicky Morgan whom said she wouldn't serve in a Johnson administration but is now culture Secretary.
This is a leaver cabinet. Most of them campaigned to leave the EU they have to own this now and take any responsibility for it. They sold a highly unrealistic dream to 17.4 million people now they have to deliver it.
The night of long knives was a turning point and the beginning of the end for Mr. Macmillan, he wouldn't last long as Prime Minister after that and would be replaced by Alec Douglas-Home and the Conservatives would be voted out of office. So by getting rid of his enemies has Mr. Johnson accidentally shot himself in the foot? Well time will tell but some of the appointments he has made leaves you questioning his motives. Jacob Rees-Mogg has been promoted to cabinet as leader of the house of commons so has the ERG (European Research Group) won this week? I suspect it has.
So as the new Secretary's go to work in their respective departments the country is holding it's breath as to what will happen next our Prime Minister wants to leave the EU on the 31st which to me seems unrealistic as we still have a lot more negotiating to do but only time will tell. This cabinet is now on trial in the court of public opinion and will give it's verdict at the next general election. Which may come sooner than anticipated already there is talk of an autumn election on the cards.
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