Boris Johnson might be a Brexiteer prime minister but he needs a balanced cabinet to unify the country

Inside Westminster: The cabinet wrangling has already begun. If nothing else, a balance of Leavers and Remainers in the top job is in Boris’ self-interest

Two former senior cabinet ministers discussed their prospects of returning to the front line under Boris Johnson. Both endorsed him for the Tory leadership, at least partly in the hope of reviving their careers. But they judged that they are among about 50 Tories who think they have got a chance of landing one of the 23 cabinet posts.

As one of the pair told me: “You think you’ve got a ticket for the plane, but when you get to your seat, you find someone else sitting in it.”

Team Boris is adamant that he has not promised people jobs; he got himself in a typical pickle when he did so three years ago in his abortive run for the leadership. But, inevitably, that is not how some would-be ministers who have spoken to him view it.