So the 'Bury Bad News' reshuffle is underway. It really is shuffling the cards on the deck of the Titanic. I've had four hours sleep so my judgement might be somewhat awry at the moment, but here's my take on what's happening. Firstly, it's quite clear that it's going to be rather more extensive than anyone first thought. The interesting one so far is Jack Straw, who has emerged from Downing Street. Sky are speculating that he is being moved to the ODPM. Maybe. Or maybe he's returning the Home Office, which would be deeply ironic bearing in mind many of the 'undeported' prisoners were released when he was there before. The big question on everyone's lips is: Dare he move Gordon? I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one... Prezza looks stuffed. Prescott went back up to Hull yesterday after a two hour session with Blair. To have to return to London so abruptly would indicate that whatever they agreed yesterday has had to be changed. I expect him to depart completely but retain the deputy leadership of the Party. Who goes to the Foreign Office? It could be Hilary Benn. I expect Benn to be given one of the really top jobs, which will signal that Blair thinks he has it in him to challenge the Dour One when the time comes. I also expect Alan Milburn to be offered the chance of a return. To where? No idea. As I revealed yesterday, Blair will make Stephen Byers the new Culture Secretary. A headline grabber would be a return for John Denham at the Home Office.
ODPM: Jack StrawForeign Office: Hilary Benn
DTI: Alan Milburn
DSCMS: Stephen Byers
Education: David Miliband
Work & Pensions: John Hutton
Transport: Health: Alan Johnson
Home Office: Alistair Darling
DEFRA: Margaret Beckett
Chief Whip: Geoff Hoon
Labour Party Chairman: Hazel Blears
Defence: John Reid
Leader of the House: Tessa Jowell
Chancellor: Gordon Brown
Northern Ireland & Wales: Peter Hain
Constitutional Affairs: Lord Falconer
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Yvette Cooper
Chief Secretary: Des Browne
Communities & Local Government: Ruth Kelly
DFID: Douglas Alexander
Sacked: Charles Clarke, Hilary Armstrong, John Prescott
I expect I'll be wrong on virtually of them. But at least it gives you all something to discuss in Comments!
10 comments:
What about Alistair Darling, he must be up for something?
It feels good to a Conservative again doesn't it Iain - although, hasn't it always?!
I'm working on no sleep at all here. Today should be a laugh. I expect to start halucinating by dinner time.
Honestly if Blair appoints Byers to the cabinet in a reshuffle to try and restore the government's reputation, then satire is futile.
I'm not sure Blair can sack Clarke having said that he's the best person to sort the mess out.
Darling could be given a job that affects his own constituents in North Britain. Just imagine, a Scottish Labour MP in charge of a ministry that hasn't been devolved in their own constituency - that'd be a novelty.
Well, congrats all you Tory believers and voters. Bring on the general election and lets relegate these plastic socialists to the history books.
Lord Falconer's just walked into Number 10 - presumably it'd be too controversial to give a big office to someone from 'the other place'?
Agree Benn could be Blairs, John Major.
Someone he anoints as the best of a bad bunch.
So giving him a top job is on the cards - he is popular in the party as well.
What about Patricia Hewitt and health?
Do you think Prescott will be joining in today's No Pants Day? All is revealed on my site.
Looks like Clarke has gone - a very inconsistent decision. I really do wonder what goes through Blair's head sometimes.
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