Drafting in the youngsters

Nicholas Millman

For a government that introduced anti-ageism legislation this looks suspicious and unhealthy. Husband and wife serving in cabinet together - unhealthy. Portillo sums it up correctly on This Week: It's the weakest cabinet in the history of British politics.

Austin Barry

Oh, dear, I fear that having to see and hear more from the obnoxious and self-regarding Yvette Cooper and her similarly annoying chum Ms. Smith may turn me into a misogynist. In the real world you wouldn't put these characters in charge of the cosmetics counter at M&S. Where are the Barbara Castles of Nu Labour?

Mike

Watch Purnell, he's a disaster waiting to happen. He got caught out over Photoshopgate and frankly lied. If he will dissemble over somthing so trivial and easily get caught what will happen when he's appointed to work n' pensions. Also Yvette Cooper as Chief Secretart to the Tresury. Balls and Cooper are the most overrated couple in politics. Cooper is another disaster waiting to happen. Cue media digging into her interesting expenses and mortgate arrangements A cabinet of inexperienced pygmies.

Oscar Miller

Brown seems to have eradicated all signs of character or personality from his cabinet. I really can't tell the difference between Andy Burnham and James Purnell - they seem interchangeable, as do Yvette Cooper and Caroline Flint. The only gender difference is the women seem a bit louder and more assertive than the men. Lacking authority, ideas, engagement, any sense of vision - together with serious questions marks about competence - this cabinet are like interchangeable pawns on a chess board. If any of them are replaced who will care or even notice the difference? Not so much the Facebook generation as the Faceless generation.

Caroline

Nicholas M – there are several husband and wife teams in the HoC, but to my knowledge none of them have been good enough to serve at the top of Govt. - until now. Austin B –no need to fear ‘being turned’ into a misogynist when you size up the Tory front bench Hmmm? Apart from Theresa and her shoes I’m struggling to think of another top female Tory – now Anne W is leaving! I suppose Julie Kirkbride who is youngish, is un-promotable due to her allegiance to that duff MMR doctor – thank goodness. For a future Barbara Castle, look to Caroline Flint. On top of the job, takes no prisoners, and when she speaks her audience listen. Top Girl. Mike – Even Fraser approves Purnell, and these photo ‘opportunities’ have appeared on Tory websites too. Silly, but hardly a hanging offence. Oscar M – Aren’t the young people you’re demeaning about the same age as Cameron/Osborne and been involved in politics at least as long, if not longer? They are there for a reason - young, smart, aspiring and to appeal to the also young aspiring voter rather than old duffers? Who are the youngsters are on the Tory front bench – remind me.

Tiberius

Caroline: would you consider the proposition that to be favoured by Brown means by definition that you have to have no initiative?

Nicholas Millman

"There are several husband and wife teams in the HoC" I'm sure there are, old girl, but I was referring to the cabinet which is rather different. And if you believe that to serve in cabinet, especially this cabinet, is a the reward of a meritocracy then I'm afraid you may be even more naive than I suspected.

"Caroline Flint. On top of the job, takes no prisoners, and when she speaks her audience listen" Yes, mainly because she shuts up any attempt to have a meaningful discussion by talking louder and louder and even using "shut up" gestures and physical obstruction. Thoroughly unpleasant. I never rated Barbara Castle much either, 'twas she who introduced the idea of police interference with the rights of private drivers and made her name in the age of Soviet Labour - long before the party was reinvented (I'm trying hard not to laugh as I write that). As for your rant about the young and aspiring - aspiring yes, certainly not inspiring! Give me an old duffer over a jumped up oik any day!

Austin Barry

Caroline: the new cabinet members certainly reflect Brown's in-crowd, being inappropriate,inert,incompetent and, above all, insipid. And no, I think there is zero chance of the charming Ms Kirkbride turning anyone into a misogynist.

Oscar Miller

Caroline - it's not the youth of Brown's cabinet I'm objecting to - it's their character and ability. They are peas in a pod. More Faceless than Facebook. You do seem to specialise in missing the point.

Max Kaye

Fraser, I'll not question your political judgement about young Burnham, but to call Liverpool a 'splendid city' is some cause for concern.

TGF UKIP

Now we scousers are always known to be somewhat lippy, but we also tend to drink too much and swear too much and we are invariably smart-arses and chancers. We also gamble too much, so I would put a large wager on Our Andy appearing on Guido's radar before too long.