covid constitution and cabinet

• Boris Johnson is in intensive care due to COVID-19
• There has been a huge rallying of public and media support for Boris Johnson
• Acting Prime Minister


  Dominic Raab has taken charge in Boris Johnson's absence as the First Secretary of State
• The UK does not have a codified constitution like the US, so the rules around what happens when the Prime Minister is incapacitated are unclear
• Dominic Raab has the powers of a Prime Minister, but it is unclear exactly what he can and cannot do
• It is unclear who decides when Boris Johnson is fit to return to work - the doctors, Boris himself, or the Cabinet
• The Cabinet is operating in a more collective manner, with individual ministers taking responsibility for different areas
• There are some signs of tension and contradictions in the Cabinet's actions, such as the timing of the lockdown review
• Dominic Raab taking over the daily briefings instead of Matt Hancock has caused some tensions, with Michael Gove emphasising collective responsibility
• It is highly unlikely that there will be any attempt by the Cabinet to seize power from Boris Johnson, given his popularity and the loyalty of the Cabinet members he appointed
• The lack of a codified constitution means the process of power transfer back to Boris Johnson is unclear and uncertain