But Brexit has been a massive distraction and point of contention for the party and its governments. When decisions about top posts are made based on stances to

But Brexit has been a massive distraction and point of contention for the party and its governments. When decisions about top posts are made based on stances towards Brexit, it's likely they are not optimal under other criteria. Throwing out MPs over votes, toppling a PM for failing to deliver the stance the hardliners wanted (which wasn't necessarily what the electorate voted for), ... all took energy that could've delivered more useful results. E.g. I'd be very curious how a scenario went where the Brexit vote went as it did, but you didn't have the ERG et al forcing a hardline course. (Which they still do, if I saw right they were in the media again just now about how they'll not let a new PM weaken the stance on Ireland, despite all the mess that has been).