Of all the powers exercised by a British prime minister, few are greater than that of patronage. Cabinet appointments are made with no requirement for legislative approval. Yet it does not follow that No.10’s occupants get the team they want. Political caution prevents the rise of allies and the fall of enemies (witness Tony Blar’s failure to remove Gordon Brown as chancellor).
Theresa May leads a government with a majority of 12. She was not elected by either the public or Conservative members. But in her first appointments, the former home secretary has shown greater boldness than many of her more powerful predecessors. May has promoted friends and ruthlessly discarded foes.
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