May 'threatening reshuffle' to bring Tory rebels to heel
1 min read
Theresa May is reportedly toying with an autumn reshuffle to try to assert herself over rebellious Conservative colleagues.
While some had expected changes in the immediate aftermath of the party's autumn conference, the Times reports that the Prime Minister will wait longer before shaking up her team.
Among those thought to be at risk are the Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.
Party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin may also call it a day, with suggestions he could be replaced by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
The paper also reports that eurosceptic backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg will be offered a ministerial role after a recent surge in his popularity, a phenomenon dubbed 'Moggmentum'.
Two MPs from the 2015 intake, former soliders Tom Tugendhat and Johnny Mercer, are thought to be in line for a promotion.
However Mrs May must tread carefully after angering some colleagues by saying last week that she wanted to fight the 2022 general election.
"What she's said is going to go down really badly. It implies that she's learned nothing," one former minister told PoliticsHome.
"She needs to show a lot more humility and understanding of what's going on in the party. There's a lot of untapped anger that could break out at any time."
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