Ball in Johnson’s court:
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 6:44 am
Ripple effect: The Times’ Steve Swinford picks up Brexiteer anger over the perceived snub to Baker. The ire is directed at Johnson’s de-facto chief of staff Dominic Cummings. Little love has been lost between the former head of Vote Leave and MPs in the ERG in recent years. The Times’ Oliver Wright points out that Cummings has previously characterized senior ERG members as being “too busy shooting, skiing or chasing girls to do any work” on the referendum, while the MPs saw him as an “upstart Johnny-come-lately to the cause who actually damaged the campaign.”
And what’s the cost? The Mirror’s Dan Bloom thinks Johnson’s reshuffle could cost the taxpayer £250,000 in farewell payouts. He points out that despite remaining as MPs on £79,468 a year, ministers who quit are eligible to three months of the ministerial part of their salary in the form of a severance payment.
WHAT NEGOTIATION? The U.K. and the telegram data EU look more polarized than ever after Johnson doubled down on his call for the Northern Irish backstop to be axed during his first House of Commons outing as PM yesterday. In a note to EU27 diplomats, which was always likely to be leaked, Barnier said the PM’s demands were “unacceptable” and accused him of using “combative” language to put pressure on EU leaders. German politician Norbert Röttgen was equally unimpressed, tweeting: “Dear @BorisJohnson: Neither boastful speeches nor bullying will succeed in making us give up #EU principles and unity. Will stay cool instead.”
In their first leaders’ phone call last night, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Johnson exchanged numbers and agreed to “remain in touch.” But there was little sign negotiations are about to get up and running again. Juncker told the new PM that the Commission would remain available over the coming weeks “should the United Kingdom wish to hold talks and clarify its position in more detail.” More from POLITICO’s David Herszenhorn and Charlie Cooper.
And what’s the cost? The Mirror’s Dan Bloom thinks Johnson’s reshuffle could cost the taxpayer £250,000 in farewell payouts. He points out that despite remaining as MPs on £79,468 a year, ministers who quit are eligible to three months of the ministerial part of their salary in the form of a severance payment.
WHAT NEGOTIATION? The U.K. and the telegram data EU look more polarized than ever after Johnson doubled down on his call for the Northern Irish backstop to be axed during his first House of Commons outing as PM yesterday. In a note to EU27 diplomats, which was always likely to be leaked, Barnier said the PM’s demands were “unacceptable” and accused him of using “combative” language to put pressure on EU leaders. German politician Norbert Röttgen was equally unimpressed, tweeting: “Dear @BorisJohnson: Neither boastful speeches nor bullying will succeed in making us give up #EU principles and unity. Will stay cool instead.”
In their first leaders’ phone call last night, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Johnson exchanged numbers and agreed to “remain in touch.” But there was little sign negotiations are about to get up and running again. Juncker told the new PM that the Commission would remain available over the coming weeks “should the United Kingdom wish to hold talks and clarify its position in more detail.” More from POLITICO’s David Herszenhorn and Charlie Cooper.