The resignation of Amber Rudd gets the full works in today's papers, both nationally and internationally. It's as if we've spent the last couple of centuries laughing at the democratic misfortunes of others and now they're having their turn at our expense. The Work and Pensions Secretary's resignation letter explains she is also giving up the Conservative party whip - which is even more extraordinary - while she says she remains a 'proud Conservative'. Surely the most wounding charge that Johnson's government has shifted well to the right.
She was almost certainly given assurances that a no deal Brexit was a million to one shot. In duplicitous Johnsonian fashion, I suspect others like Raab and Patel were told a no deal Brexit was absolutely certain. Johnson's strategy of threatening to drive the nation over the cliff is obviously making some of the conductors nervous although the passengers seem remarkably calm - at the moment.
Rudd's departure is a blow at least as big as his brother's last Thursday and they seem to have almost choreographed their exits to cause maximum embarrassment. It makes one question who might be next. One candidate is Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, the nation's most senior law officer. The PM has said consistently said he would not ask the EU for a delay beyond October 31st which many take to mean he will ignore the law.
A former Director of Public Prosecutions says Johnson could go to jail if he does not obey the law thus giving the phrase 'conviction politician' a whole new meaning. It is hard to see how Cox could remain in the cabinet under those circumstances.
Farage tweeted:
Why did Boris give ministerial posts to all these Remainers in the first place? Confused thinking to say the least. https://t.co/rhbVnAlmrK— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) September 7, 2019
With virtually the most pro-Brexit cabinet ever, Farage seems to think it's stuffed full of unbelievers. If he was PM only those prepared to erect a Trump-like wall down the east coast, block the Channel Tunnel and cut all ties with the continent would be able to serve in government. As extremists go he is becoming a caricature of Oswald Moseley.
Rudd also cited the 'culling' of 21 of their colleagues last week. This is Cummings' doing for sure and it is very hard to see how he will not be jettisoned before long.
I listened to the speech of Lord Heseltine in Leeds yesterday. He said a "ruthlessness" had been injected into the conduct of affairs by a government that was "oblivious to the past and indifferent to the future". How true that is.
When Gove stabbed Johnson in the back to destroy his first attempt at the premiership in late June 2016 he said:
"But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead."
He was obviously right at the time and has been proved right now. After less than two months Johnson's administration is clearly in chaos. Gove is in charge of no-deal planning. If Johnson succeeds somehow in crashing out of the EU without a deal, he will be carrying the can. Gove is not stupid and can probably see this. Being under prepared for a million-to-one event is OK since almost certainly nobody will ever know we were under prepared.
If the government's certain policy is to pursue a no-deal strategy and the result is shortages of food, medicines, fuel and electricity and we descend into civil disorder, exposing our lack of preparation will destroy whatever future career prospects Gove might have had.
Although Cummings and Gove are very close (Cummings was his senior advisor at Education) I think he may well be another casualty very soon. Hancock can also hardly remain as Health Secretary when his own prime minister is pursuing a policy that puts lives at risk - or can he?
