Boris Johnson’s dream of running the country could be in touching distance this week after Theresa May appointed him as her “senior duty minister” while she takes a break. May’s deputy spokesman said Johnson would assume the position of duty minister after Philip Hammond, the chancellor, who took the role last week. “It is standard practice for a senior duty minister to be appointed whilst the prime minister is travelling. The previous prime minister was also more likely to leave colleagues in charge of running the country – although not always successfully. In 2011, Nick Clegg’s elevated role when he was deputy prime minister slipped his mind.

Source: The Guardian August 15, 2016 17:14 UTC