Boris Johnson delays reshuffle as MPs agitate for leadership coup

Boris Johnson will delay a cabinet reshuffle for several months after ministers warned him against ­destabilising his government further after last week’s two by-election defeats.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture: Getty Images

Boris Johnson will delay a cabinet reshuffle for several months after ministers warned him against ­destabilising his government further after last week’s two by-election defeats.

The British Prime Minister had been expected to reshuffle his team before parliament goes into recess next month in an attempt to refocus his premiership.

Three cabinet minister – George Eustice (environment), Kwasi Kwarteng (business) and Anne-Marie Trevelyan (trade) were said to be vulnerable. But Mr Johnson has told allies that he wants more time to think through the reshuffle given that he will only return to Britain on Friday after a series of international commitments.

One cabinet minister said that sacked ministers could become “really vigorous agitators” on the backbenches and undermine the government. They suggested that the longer the reshuffle is delayed, the less likely it is to happen.

On Sunday Mr Johnson tried to defuse criticism from backbenchers after suggesting that he wants to stay on as Prime Minister until the 2030s. At the weekend he suggested that he wanted a third term in office, a day after the Tories lost the two by-elections.

His comments prompted a strong backlash from Tory MPs. Tim Loughton, a former minister and Johnson critic, accused him of arrogance and others said that he did not understand the weakness of his position.

One Tory MP said: “It is completely nuts. Pouring oil on the fire. Just when he should have shown some humility to the party and the country, he does the opposite. It winds people up. I have had some colleagues saying that if we had a vote tomorrow, he would lose.”

Another said: “He has lost the plot. Hard to know how but feel sure he’ll be gone by year end or sooner. Opposition is spreading and deepening and is now likely to organise.”

In Germany on Sunday for the G7 summit, Mr Johnson said he felt no shame over the by-election defeats, adding that his government had been “quite exceptional”.

Tory rebels are urging colleagues to resubmit their confidence letters as they seek to change the rules in an attempt to remove Mr Johnson from office.

The rebels will this week launch a drive to get as many letters as possible submitted to increase pressure on the Prime Minister.

The confidence vote earlier this month was held after more than 54 Tory MPs requested one. Mr Johnson survived the vote by 211 to 148. Under the present rules he is safe from another challenge for a year.

The Times