Boris's way or the highway: The Cabinet is now solid-Brexiteers (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty) But context is everything and nobody should invest that kind of importance in the

departure of Sajid Javid from Boris Johnson’s administration. For all his promise, Javid was a rookie chancellor yet to deliver any Budget. And, unlike Mrs Thatcher when Lawson resigned in

1989, Johnson is a prime minister in his pomp.  RELATED ARTICLES He has just been given a massive mandate after an election campaign that revolved almost entirely around his personality and

a set of key personal ­promises to the public.  How well he does in fulfilling those core pledges, not how he gets on with sundry lesser political figures, will be the determinant of the

Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd at Boris's first Cabinet meeting (Image: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty) So long as Mr Johnson maintains a relentless focus on these goals then his status as

king of the political jungle will not be under threat.  And his Cabinet reshuffle leaves him well placed on all those fronts.  Javid, who campaigned for Remain in the EU referendum, was the

one senior figure in the Cabinet seen as having the potential to go wobbly on the Government’s negotiating line that it would prefer to move to WTO trading terms with the EU than accept

continuing compulsory alignment with its rules.  His replacement by Rishi Sunak, who campaigned for Leave, means all four great offices of state – Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Home

Secretary and Chancellor – are now occupied by resolute Brexiteers.  This will be noticed in Brussels.  Nigel Lawson's resignation precipitated the downfall of Lady Thatcher (Image:

Getty) There is now no prospect of the EU using splits in the UK Government to undermine Britain’s negotiating leverage.  The top end of the Cabinet is rock-solid behind the Prime Minister

and the others will fall into line or be fired.  This means Brussels will go into the next round of negotiations, starting in March, knowing that the threat of Britain walking away if the

terms it offers are unsatisfactory is real.  That is a massive advantage.  When it comes to the NHS, the replacement of the instinctive fiscal hawk Javid with a figure more under Johnson’s

control means much-needed extra cash can be ploughed in sooner.  Home Secretary Priti Patel is a rock-solid Brexiteer (Image: Getty) The Prime Minister needs to understand that, while more

funding is a necessary factor in making the NHS better, it is by no means sufficient on its own.  A wider reform agenda, including a comprehensive new policy on social care for the frail

elderly, is also urgently needed.  But there is every sign that Health Secretary Matthew Hancock, wisely left in place in the reshuffle, gets this.  In the area of law and order, robust Home

Secretary Priti Patel has been sent reinforcements in the shape of new Attorney General Suella Braverman.  Miss Braverman, another conviction politician and rock solid Brexiteer, has spoken

out several times against the use of human rights laws to secure lax treatment for criminals.  Rishi Sunak is a rock-solid Brexiteer (Image: BBC) She will not hesitate to take on the legal

establishment to force changes in this regard and ensure that the protection of the law-abiding public is restored as the central aim of the criminal justice system.  And when it comes to

getting the economy motoring in those ­former Labour seats that put their faith in Mr Johnson, the new sway No 10 has over No 11 will be hugely important.  In effect, Mr Johnson has given

the PM’s traditional courtesy title, First Lord of the Treasury, real meaning.  If he wishes to do something radical on regional policy to advantage these ­constituencies, then arcane

Treasury rules are not going to get in the way.  It has been said that politics is showbiz for ugly people and it will certainly continue to serve as a soap opera for the serious-minded. 

But the “labours of Boris”, set for him by the public, are clear: Brexit, health, crime and the state of our post-industrial towns and cities.  So long as he delivers on these issues then

the ­electorate will stick by him.