London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Jacob Rees-Mogg made Brexit opportunities minister as PM reshuffles team

Jacob Rees-Mogg made Brexit opportunities minister as PM reshuffles team

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been given a new role in government as the minister for Brexit opportunities, as Boris Johnson carries out a cabinet reshuffle.

The PM promised a rejig in No 10 amid ongoing pressure over parties held in Downing Street during lockdown.

Chris Heaton-Harris becomes the new chief whip, in charge of disciplining Conservative MPs - some of whom have called on Mr Johnson to resign.

His predecessor, Mark Spencer, replaces Mr Rees-Mogg as leader of the Commons.

But some Tory MPs have privately expressed concern about Mr Spencer's new post.

The role includes the responsibility for standards of behaviour in Westminster, but he is currently being investigated over accusations of Islamophobia, raised by fellow MP Nusrat Ghani - claims he has denied.

After the announcement, Ms Ghani retweeted her statement from January - when the story became public - in which she said she had told the PM: "All I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate."

A spokesman for No 10 said it was right to allow the investigation to conclude "without pre-empting it or drawing conclusions while that work is ongoing".

Downing Street also confirmed Paymaster General Michael Ellis would take on the additional role of minister for the Cabinet Office.

The job had been held by Tory MP Steve Barclay, who had said he would stay in his post at the Cabinet Office, alongside his new role as chief of staff in No 10.

Earlier this week, Labour questioned how Mr Barclay would be able to carry out all three roles.

But No 10 later said Mr Ellis would only take on "some elements" of his role, rather than directly replacing him.

'Economic role'


Mr Rees-Mogg, a prominent Leave campaigner during the 2016 EU referendum, will now be a full member of the cabinet, with his full title being minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency.

A source close to the prime minister said he had wanted Mr Rees-Mogg to have a "proper economic role" in cabinet.

Mr Spencer will continue to attend cabinet and Mr Ellis will join him.

Another source described Mr Heaton-Harris as "more carrot than stick" in his style of persuading MPs to toe the party line.

Other moves include:

*  Stuart Andrew leaving his role as deputy chief whip to become housing minister - the 11th person to hold the role in 10 years

*  Heather Wheeler becoming a parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office, in addition to her current role as an assistant government whip

*  James Cleverly staying in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, becoming the minister for Europe, instead of minister for the Middle East and North Africa

*  Wendy Morton being promoted within the Department for Transport

*  Chris Pincher moving from housing minister to deputy chief whip

A Downing Street spokesman said it was "important we make immediate changes to improve how the No 10 operation works", and the changes would help towards "improving relations with MPs".

But Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the prime minister should instead be focusing on "an inflation crisis created in Downing Street and supporting the mental health of our children and young people".

"What was Boris Johnson doing? Reshuffling the deckchairs when he's already hit an iceberg," she added.


Football refereeing and dad jokes are two specialisms of the man whose new job is trying to persuade Conservative MPs to back the prime minister.

Every day, Chris Heaton-Harris used to tweet a joke and it would be reasonable to say they were so bad, they were good.

"I admit most of my jokes are rubbish," he once said, "although some were funny, mainly sent by others."

He is a personable, self-deprecating Brexiteer - and takes on, arguably, one of the toughest job in politics.

Now it's Mr Heaton-Harris's role to stack up the numbers in the Commons to keep Boris Johnson in his job.

In normal times, that would be easy enough with an 80-seat majority. But these are... you can finish that sentence yourself.

In her report on gatherings that took place in Downing Street during lockdowns, published last week, senior civil servant Sue Gray criticised "failures of leadership and judgement".

In response, Mr Johnson promised a change in culture and to consult Conservative MPs more on setting policy, which could involve prominent roles for Mr Rees-Mogg, Mr Spencer and Mr Heaton-Harris.

Mark Spencer takes over from Jacob Rees-Mogg as Commons leader


Meanwhile, No 10 has said the prime minister has no intention of apologising after falsely claiming that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had failed to prosecute serial sex offender Jimmy Savile when he was director of public prosecutions.

Fifteen Conservative MPs have called for Mr Johnson to go.

If 54 MPs write letters to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative Party's 1922 Committee, declaring no confidence in his leadership, this will prompt a full vote on his future.

If Mr Johnson lost this, there would be a leadership contest, in which Mr Johnson would be prohibited from running.

At the last cabinet reshuffle, in September last year, Nadine Dorries became culture secretary and Liz Truss became foreign secretary, while Dominic Raab was moved from the Foreign Office to become deputy prime minister.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×