Rishi Sunak would set off “fireworks” if he sacks Suella Braverman but should ultimately prevail against his home secretary, George Osborne has said.
The former Conservative chancellor claimed the move would allow Mr Sunak to stamp his authority on the frontbench, while consigning a weakened Ms Braverman to the backbenches.
On the Political Currency podcast, which he hosts with Ed Balls, Mr Osborne said: “If he fired her there would be a big row, there would be a lot of fireworks.
“But ultimately, prime ministers tend to win those encounters because the Home Secretary will suddenly become a backbencher. And then she’ll quickly lose her purchase – think of Priti Patel.
“No disrespect to Priti, but she’s not as powerful a voice on the backbenches as she was as Home Secretary.”
Mr Osborne, who was sacked by Theresa May in 2016, said removing Ms Braverman would also allow the Prime Minister to contrast himself with the Labour party, which is riven by splits over Gaza.
He continued: “That could call Braverman’s bluff and assert authority, demonstrate that he’s the change candidate and then throw the challenge to Keir Starmer and say: ‘I’ve shown I’m tough. I’ve imposed discipline on my frontbench.
“When are you going to impose discipline on your frontbench, who are openly defying the line that you’ve set on Israel and Gaza?’”
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