In George Orwell's science fiction novel 1984, there was a ministry for truth and a ministry for love.

Orwell's fatherland - now ruled by Boris Johnson - hasn't arrived yet, but at least this week the Prime Minister appointed a "Minister for the Chances of Brexit".

Consequently, the office is to be filled by a man who to this day has no doubt that leaving the European Union will be beneficial: Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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His main task will probably be to convince others of the benefits of Brexit.

Because these are now being questioned not only by the "Remoaners", as lamenting EU friends are called by Brexit opponents, but increasingly in the Conservative Party.

On the very day of Rees-Mogg's inauguration, a House of Commons committee released a sobering finding.

"One of the great promises of Brexit was to free British businesses and give them the space to maximize their productivity," said Committee Chair Meg Hillier at the launch of the report.

"But the only noticeable effect so far is higher costs, bureaucracy and waiting times at the border."

A passionate Brexit advocate

The arch-Brexiteers in the Tories in particular are concerned about the lack of a “Brexit dividend”.

Even some Brexit supporters now have trouble explaining why they fought so doggedly for it.

It's not just the economy that has been struggling with rather negative consequences so far.

Brexit was meant to limit immigration – instead, more migrants are coming across the English Channel in boats every month.

It was also intended to protect the British from the frenzy of regulation in Brussels, but so far hardly any EU rules have been revoked.

Among the few pluses that Brexit supporters highlight are the new free ports and the Corona vaccination campaign, which went faster and better than the European one.

However, a national special way would also have been possible within the EU: Hungary demonstrated it.

Rees-Mogg has been one of the most passionate Brexit advocates from the start.

He wanted the sharpest cut possible with Brussels, which is why he pushed Theresa May's downfall – and Johnson's rise – at the forefront.

After Johnson came to power, many saw Rees-Mogg as a suitable chancellor of the exchequer, but the new prime minister preferred to give him the post of leader of the house, the government's liaison to parliament.

In this post, Rees-Mogg showed himself to be a loyal cabinet member who defended Johnson even in the more awkward moments.

Some might find it ironic that Rees-Mogg, sometimes ridiculed as an “honorable member of the 18th century” for his blatantly conservative stance, will now embody the opportunities of the Brexit process.

Many see the studied historian, who has become rich through financial transactions, as a caricature of the eccentric upper-class Englishman.

Living in a sprawling country house in Somerset with his wife and six children (and domestic staff), he's never been seen without a double breasted suit and tie, drives vintage Bentleys and has the trumpet to match and impeccable manners.