Reshuffle and resignation rumours
Peter Hoskin 4:05pmThere are plenty of rumours swirling around the Wesminster washbowl, but two are worth pulling out in particular. The first comes courtesy of Danny Finkelstein (who is, incidentally, running a useful rolling post over at Comment Central on the latest leadership gossip):
"Contrary to all previous reports, rumours are now circulating that Alistair Darling would be willing to take another job in the reshuffle, and that the Chancellorship isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for him that everyone had assumed.Presumably though, this get-out-of-jail card for Brown would hang on offering Darling exactly the right kind of job..."
And then this appeared on Paul Waugh's Twitter feed:
"Word in Westminster is that at 10pm tonight, when the polls close, a Cabinet minister will quit. Lets see if they do."
Taking them in order: if Darling would accept another job, then it does rather smooth Ed Balls' path to the Chancellorship. But I'm not convinced that's a particularly good thing for Brown, as Balls in the Treasury is one of the surest ways to drive his opponents to open revolt.
And as for a resignation tonight, word is that Caroline Flint remains the most likely candidate. But as Europe minister she only "attends" Cabinet, so "Cabinet minister" implies someone higher up the political food chain. If so, it could be a bumpy night for Brown. Stay tuned.
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John
June 4th, 2009 4:40pm Report this commentIs Caroline Flint actually in the Cabinet? Surely she dropped out when she moved from being housing minister?
Vulture
June 4th, 2009 4:51pm Report this commentI said yesty that we needed a third weird sister to step on to the heath and point a bony finger at Macdeath. caroline Flint was defending the Govt with typical Nu Liebour arrogance on QT exactly a week ago, so if she does go, she can be accused of monumental hypocrisy at the least. Anything to shift Bruin though. What we need is a Macduff to deliver the fatal blow.
Pete Hoskin
June 4th, 2009 4:59pm Report this commentJohn: I've trimmed my original post to make it clearer.
TrevorsDen
June 4th, 2009 5:27pm Report this commentDarling is a doormat ... he will creep round and do as he is told. The notion that he would insist on staying always rang hollow with me.
The smallest fig leaf of respectability will suffice.
Nicholas
June 4th, 2009 5:45pm Report this commentLike Vulture I'd be surprised if it was Flint, unless its a sisterhood thing, for precisely the same reasons. She was not just towing the party line on QT but slapping the audience faces with it.
hfc
June 4th, 2009 5:54pm Report this commentStraw to resign over the shameful failures exposed in the criminal justice system that led to the murder of two French students.
Patrick
June 4th, 2009 6:19pm Report this commentConspiracy!! Brown must not be seen to be weak if he keeps Darling at the Treasury, so Darling has to indicate that he is happy with another position. But please don't ask for evidence.
David Ossitt
June 4th, 2009 8:03pm Report this commentOff the subject; just a little.
But every time I see Flint; I am reminded of what an old friend of mine would say, after having had a few drinks and whilst looking at a comely maid,
"Oh heck; I could be mucky with her"
Rachel N
June 5th, 2009 8:25am Report this commentBBC saying Darling to stay in No. 11
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