EXCL Steve Baker says he would like to be Trade Secretary as Boris Johnson plans reshuffle
2 min read
Steve Baker has revealed that he wants to be International Trade Secretary as Boris Johnson plans a major Cabinet reshuffle.
The leading Brexiteer said he was "happiest as a minister" and would love a return to government.
Wycombe MP Mr Baker, who is chairman of the European Research Group of Tory MPs, quit as Brexit minister in 2018 in protest at Theresa May's proposed deal with Brussels.
He also turned down a return to the same job after Boris Johnson became Prime Minister last summer.
In an interview with The House magazine, Mr Baker said he did not expect to be offered a job when the PM carries out his reshuffle next month.
But asked if he would like to return to the frontbench, he said: "Yes, is the short answer, because when I go back through my copious notes of the last five years, I find that it turns out, against all my expectations, I was happiest when a minister."
When asked what his dream portfolio would be, he said: “I’m very interested in trade policy and I’d love to do that, but Liz (Truss) is doing a fantastic job." Mr Baker also said he would be interested in working on peace and monetary reform.
Mr Baker was backed by fellow Brexiteer Mark Francois, who told The House: "Ministerial appointments are a matter for the Prime Minister and not me. But personally, I think Steve has more than earned a place at the Cabinet table."
Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns said: "I’m not somebody who makes these decisions, but he is a guy who’s very committed to the cause and was a very good minister. I’m sure he would be a very good minister again."
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