Farewell (and good riddance) to government by The Quad: Boris Johnson is downgrading ‘gang of four’ – himself, Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock – to include more colleagues in decision-making
- ‘Gang of four’ are PM, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove
- Boris Johnson wants to include more colleagues in decision-making process
- The move comes after the departure of his chief aide Dominic Cummings
It is the elite inner circle of senior Ministers that’s been calling the shots on Britain’s coronavirus response – to the exclusion of the rest of the Cabinet.
But now the influence of The Quad is being downgraded as Boris Johnson attempts to include more colleagues in the decision-making process following the departure of chief aide Dominic Cummings.
The Quad’s ‘gang of four’ – comprising the Prime Minister, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove – had also been the subject of a leak inquiry after details of their discussions with scientific advisers and aides found their way into the press, apparently to ‘bounce’ a reluctant Mr Johnson into calling a second lockdown.
The influence of The Quad is being downgraded as Boris Johnson attempts to include more colleagues in the decision-making process following the departure of chief aide Dominic Cummings. The ‘gang of four’ comprises the PM, Rishi Sunak, along with Matt Hancock and MIchael Gove
The Quad had also been the subject of a leak inquiry after details of their discussions with scientific advisers and aides found their way into the press, apparently to ‘bounce’ a reluctant Mr Johnson into calling a second lockdown. (Above, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove)
Last night, the next stage of Britain’s virus policy was discussed at a wider ‘Covid-O’ committee that included Business Secretary Alok Sharma, Home Secretary Priti Patel and others alongside those in The Quad clique.
And today the wider Cabinet will discuss the new tier system, due to come in to force on December 2, as well as plans for loosening restrictions for Christmas.
Their decision will then be presented to Parliament tomorrow.
It is a marked shift away from the previous concentration of power that alienated many excluded Ministers.
One Cabinet Minister told this newspaper that meetings have become more inclusive since Mr Cummings left Downing Street.
A Government source said last night: ‘People want more involvement and broader voices in decision making.’
