It's showtime for Lucy Frazer as Whitehall grows an extra limb - but it's Raab who catches the camera...welcome back to Who's Top Who's Not!
Flying high: Lucy Frazer MP
BEIS, we hardly knew ye’!
Whitehall woke to a brave new world on Tuesday and officials were shocked to find four departments where once there were three.
There is a certain logic to the prime minister’s decision to create a separate energy department, combine business and trade, and it has long been a passion of his to have a dedicated science and innovation government centre.
Whilst such a change will not move the polls, Sunak clearly thinks it is important for his overall vision and we must remember that although we are 13 years into a Tory government, we are only 100 days into a Sunak Premiership that could last until late 2024 so the time may well be now.
Grant Shapps and Michelle Donelan may have significant spending powers in their new departments but as the newest Secretary of State and member of the cabinet, we are declaring Lucy Frazer as Top this week. Good luck at the Ministry of Fun!
Middle ranking: Lee Anderson
Lee Anderson has been on quite the political journey. Few have gone from Labour Councillor to vice chair of the Conservative Party but “go where there is no path and leave a trail.”
The move has been seen as an olive branch to the red wall MPs, many of whom are sceptical that Sunak can successfully help them retain their seats at the next general election.
Anderson gave a sample of what he may bring to the new role when he confirmed that he supported a return of the death penalty. Sunak stated that neither he nor his government supported such a move but the row created some culture war-flavoured headlines that may not have been unhelpful in certain constituencies.
The real danger is when there is an issue that Anderson really disagrees on, threatens resignation and becomes a lightning rod for other dissatisfied red wall Tory MPs.
Sinking quickly: Dominic Raab
Who’s Ready for Raab?
By the look of the death stare that Sir Keir Starmer received from the (current) Justice Secretary in Westminster Hall this week, it looks like it could be the Leader of the Opposition.
MPs and Peers (and President Zelensky, who popped in) were spared the sight of Raab demonstrating his Karate skills on the Labour Leader in New Palace Yard, but judging by his look Starmer might need to watch his back.