Transport secretary was all smiles as he revealed government had pulled plug on major parts of proposals
So Boris Johnson didn’t break the promises he had made shortly after becoming prime minister in July 2019, in his election manifesto later that year and on more than 50 other occasions. At least not in parliament. He got Grant Shapps to do it instead.
And who better? Because Shapps is exactly the sort of person that this prime minister needs to get him out of a hole. Someone who knows he is authentically shallow: that there is even less to him than meets the eye. Someone who bizarrely considers his bogus alias of Michael Green to be a sign of cunning. And who – like everyone else – still can’t quite believe his luck at being made a cabinet minister and is determined to enjoy every minute he gets to stay in the job.
John Crace and Zoe Williams will be live on stage in London at a Guardian Live event on 13 December. Join the conversation in-person or online – book tickets here
A Farewell to Calm by John Crace (Guardian Faber, £9.99). To support The Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
