Cabinet rift as Braverman told to ‘stick to job’ amid fears she’s pushing to replace PM

Home secretary told she must ‘stick to the job’ after inflammatory speech – as Gove warns Tories against campaigning on culture wars

A cabinet rift has opened up over the direction of Rishi Sunak’s government after Suella Braverman sparked fears she is pitching to be prime minister by setting out her hardline, right-wing vision of conservatism.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove rejected “strident” culture war attacks and warned the Tories that focusing on economic competence was the only way to win the general election, expected in 2024.

And senior Conservatives told The Independent that Ms Braverman was already “overpromoted” and a bad influence on the government – urging Mr Sunak to sack her while he still has the chance.