- Thursday, April 18, 2024
By: Keerthi Mohan
NEWLY elected prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to present an ethnically diverse Cabinet after he meets the Queen later today (24).
Sources close to Johnson say that his team will reflect “modern Britain.” It will see more women and a better representation from ethnic minorities.
“Boris will build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain,” a source close to the Tory leader was quoted as saying.
Priti Patel, Sajid Javid, Rishi Sunak and Alok Sharma are expected to get top posts.
Patel, who was sacked by Theresa May less than two years ago for misleading the prime minister over her meetings with Israeli politicians, could be appointed as home secretary. Reports also link her to both the department for International Trade and party chariman’s post.
Javid, meanwhile, could become Johnson’s Chancellor, responsible for preparing the economy for the possibility of a No Deal Brexit, and Sharma could be employed to deal with the housing crisis.
Sunak, a junior local government minister, is expected to be elevated to Johnson’s top team.
Johnson, 55, will officially take over the reins of power at a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace and then give his maiden speech as prime minister outside his new 10 Downing Street home.
During his victory speech on Tuesday, Johnson urged the country to “ping off the guy ropes of self-doubt and negativity” and pledged to unite a badly divided country.
But his promise of leaving the European Union with or without a deal puts him on a collision course with high-profile MPs in his own party who do not want a no-deal Brexit, threatening his wafer-thin majority and raising the prospect of an early general election.
The former London mayor easily beat his rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, in a vote of party members.
(with AFP)
