Allies of the prime minister believe that she has cemented her position over the summer Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

Theresa May is using the threat of a reshuffle to bring Tory troublemakers into line as she seeks to tighten her grip on Downing Street.

Conservative Campaign Headquarters had expected the prime minister to overhaul jobs in the government after the party conference next month.

However, she is now thought more likely to delay the shake-up, using her ability to reward supporters and punish rebels to reassert her authority after angering some MPs by vowing to lead the party into the next election.

The threat will be seen as an attempt to rein in ministers with whom No 10 has clashed, including Sajid Javid, the communities secretary, Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, and Liam Fox, the international trade secretary.

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