This is no way to run a whelk stall, let alone a government

By appointing Grant Shapps to his fifth cabinet post in a year, the PM has reinforced the impression of a dying government playing musical chairs, writes John Rentoul

One of the government’s best communicators, Shapps was highly effective during the pandemic – but he looks like a winner of a tombola of trivialisation (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak wanted a minimal reshuffle to replace Ben Wallace without fuss, so that he could project an image of competence into the new political season. Instead, by appointing Grant Shapps to his fifth cabinet role in a year, he gives the impression of the government as a TV reality show called Cabinet Musical Chairs.

Shapps was transport secretary until September last year when Liz Truss sacked him for being a Sunak supporter. Forty-three days later, she fell out with Suella Braverman and needed a home secretary to plug the gap, so she brought Shapps back into government. Shapps enjoyed the great office of state for six days before Sunak became prime minister and restored Braverman to the Home Office in a cynical operation to buy off the anti-immigration Conservative right.