Steerpike Steerpike

The Reverse Gaukeward Squad

Alan Duncan may have been the first to resign ahead of Boris Johnson’s expected coronation as prime minister but he won’t be the last. Philip Hammond has already announced he’ll jump before he is pushed. And the rest of the so-called Gaukeward Squad are preparing to make their feelings about Boris known.

But what about the MPs and politicians doing the opposite ahead of Boris’s anticipated win? For years Boris is the man certain Tories have loved to hate – and they haven’t been shy about admitting it. Yet now some of the loudest of Boris’s critics have changed their tune. Mr S profiles the members of the reverse Gaukeward squad:

Amber Rudd:

Amber Rudd was once at the vanguard of the Remain-leaning Cabinet contingent. Last year she warned that a no-deal Brexit would be so catastrophic that a second referendum would be ‘absolutely’ preferable to it. Now she is busy down-playing her previous opposition to no deal, telling TalkRadio earlier this month that she accepts ‘no deal is part of the armoury going forward’. 

Rudd also hinted during the 2016 referendum campaign that she didn’t trust Boris personally, saying he was ‘not the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening’. Now Rudd has applauded Boris’s ‘charisma and charm’ and is expected to join his administration.

Matt Hancock:

Only a few weeks ago, Matt Hancock took a pop at Boris Johnson during his failed Tory leadership bid with his ‘f*** “f*** business”’ remark. The comment was a dig at Boris over his alleged comment about business. 

Yet after pulling out of the Tory leadership contest, Hancock has since changed his tune, heralding Johnson’s candidacy as the best ‘to deliver Brexit, unify the country, and defeat the scourge of Jeremy Corbyn.’ 

Michael Gove:

Michael Gove single-handedly destroyed Boris Johnson’s chances of becoming PM in 2016, when he famously announced that he didn’t believe Boris could ‘provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead’. 

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in