The Prime Minister's Question Time on last Wednesday was a very interesting watch, as Boris Johnson's former Minister Sajid Javid made a polite yet powerful attack on the Prime Minister's No10 Chief, saying that the changes to the Treasury planned by Dominic Cummings were 'not in the national interest'.
The former minister used a resignation statement in the Commons – which was watched by Boris Johnson with Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak on his each side. Javid said that a semi-merger of No 10 and No 11 behind the scenes teams would be a hindrance to the finance department's ability to 'speak truth to power'.
Though Bromesgrove MP did not name Mr Cummings directly, but he joked that there had been a lot of gossip already about 'comings and goings', and a roar of laughter was heard from the listening MPs in the Commons.
He further said, “A Chancellor, like all Cabinet Ministers, has to be able to give candid advice so he is speaking truth to power.
“I believe that the arrangement proposed would significantly inhibit that and it would not have been in the national interest.
“So while I was grateful for the continued trust of the Prime Minister in wanting to reappoint me, I am afraid that these were conditions that I could not accept in good conscience.'
“It has always been the case that advisers advise, minsters decide and minsters decide on their advisers.
“I couldn't see why the Treasury, with the vital role that it plays, should be the exception to that.”
“I very much hope that the new Chancellor will be given space to do his job without fear or favour.”
But he then he went on to praise the current Chancellor and said, “And I know this Mr Speaker, that my right honourable friend for Richmond (Chancellor to Exchequer Rishi Sunak) is more than capable of rising to the challenge.”
