A reshuffle for the better?
Peter Hoskin 9:00am
Can things get any worse for Gordon Brown? With the news this morning that a minister is threatening to quit, our Dear Leader needs something to change. And quick.
On that front, he seems to be pinning his hopes on a cabinet reshuffle this summer. According to the Telegraph, those due a promotion include Jim Murphy, Liam Byrne and – surprise, surprise – Ed Miliband. Whilst Hilary Benn, Des Browne and Hazel Blears can expect to be flung from the battlements.
This isn't so much a reshuffle, then, as a dilution. Whilst Murphy et al. may be capable in their own right, their youthful presence will hardly reassure voters in these tough economic times.
As James has already pointed out, there's an arsenal of big guns on the Labour back benches – including Charles Clarke, Jon Cruddas, Alan Milburn, Frank Field, Stephen Byers and David Blunkett – who'd fit the bill perfectly. But Brown's internecine stubbornness means they'll never get fielded. A shame.
Previous
nick
April 15th, 2008 9:42am Report this commentDavid Blunkett has had to resign twice in disgrace and can clearly not come back. Stephen Byers similarly has a fairly toxic reputation. Jon Cruddas was offered a job originally and refused it. Charles Clarke has been disloyal and scheming in a way you know no party leader can toleate. And Field hasn't been much better. Only Milburn would clearly be an asset and you know it, you're just stirring.
Dave B
April 15th, 2008 10:59am Report this commentI think 'insecurity', would be a more accurate description of Mr Brown's motivations than 'stubbornness'.
Fergus Pickering
April 15th, 2008 11:04am Report this commentOnly a shame if you wish the Broon person well. But none of us here do that, surely. By the way, while I'm here, what became of my tee shirt. Are Spectator tee shirts simply virtual tee shirts?
Pete Hoskin
April 15th, 2008 11:22am Report this commentFergus: I'll get onto it...
Perry
April 15th, 2008 11:44am Report this comment“ . . . seems to be pinning his hopes . . . “ Shome mishtake shurely!
Get yourself together! The Beloved Leader never descends to mere Hope. Calculation and clinical judgement are his defining features, - oh, and control freakery - except for issues that are politically inconvenient or Politically Incorrect.
Liz Brown
April 15th, 2008 12:52pm Report this commentHow soon people forget - you all wished for "he who cannot be named" to depart and make way for the Wizard of Kilbride and now you want him to make way for Ballsupcooper/millipedes.inc/purnell,parneel what the 'ell and etcs and as for upsdaiKelly - gawd help us. Bring on the revolution
Mike
April 15th, 2008 1:11pm Report this commentTitanic and deckchairs seems to spring to mind....
ken from glos
April 15th, 2008 1:38pm Report this commentNip over to Labour Home and have a quick look at article, "getting out of the brown stuff"
It cheered me up no end !!
Austin Barry
April 15th, 2008 1:51pm Report this commentDon't overlook the Community Cohesion Supremo, Hazel Blears. The diminutive Hazel has a role to play in the Cabinet and most of us wish it were that of the red-raincoated, machete-wielding, homicidal midget in Don't Look Now.
The Laughing Cavalier
April 15th, 2008 3:23pm Report this commentYou are mistaken in labelling MacBroon "The Dear Leader". That was his predecessor, so named after his dictatorial ways. What we have now is "The Dour Leader", equally dictatorial but less amusing.
David Lindsay
April 15th, 2008 4:47pm Report this commentMilburn? Byers? Is this supposed to be a joke?
Steve Stevenson
April 15th, 2008 11:26pm Report this commentWhen did Stephen Byers become a "big gun"? What were his big accomplishments in office? What big ideas did he contribute? What rooms did his charisma-free personality fill?
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