On the verge of a reshuffle
Peter Hoskin 9:51am
Brace yourselves - the reshuffle forecasts have shifted from 'likely' to 'imminent'. According to this morning's paper's, one could come as early as September 1st, as Brown tries to reestablish his government after the summer recess.
So, who'll go where? Well, there's talk of promotions to the Cabinet for Liam Bryne and Jim Murphy (the former was awarded The Spectator/Threadneedle's 'Minister to Watch' 2007, and the latter was recently interviewed by Fraser). And demotions for Des Browne, Paul Murphy and Hilary Benn. But the big question is of what Brown will do with David Miliband, if the Foreign Secretary hasn't formally lauched a leadership challenge by then. A "job swap" between him and Alistair Darling is "one option" currently being considered - sending Milband to the Treasury, and placating Darling with the position of Foreign Secretary.
Will it do any good? There are plenty of reasons to be sceptical (Dizzy gives a good rundown of them here). Whilst they're capable enough, Bryne and Murphy are hardly the big-hitters that might, by themselves, inspire public confidence in this Government. At this stage in the game, Brown might be best advised to go for name recognition and draft in some Labour warhorses, such as Alan Milburn or Jon Cruddas. For Brown, that could also have the beneficial side-effect of shoring up some support in his leadership from the various wings of the party - thereby diluting the risk of leadership challenges.
And as for how he deals with the Miliband problem, I've said before that it's a lose-lose-lose-lose-lose situation for Brown. Keeping the Foreign Secretary in the fold - or even promoting him - smacks of weakness. Whilst sacking him will kickstart a leadership challenge that will fracture the Government even more. Of course, that's if Miliband doesn't act first, and hand in his resignation. Although from what we've seen so far, I wouldn't bet on it.
Previous
Slim Jim
August 2nd, 2008 11:23am Report this commentWill rearranging the Titanic's deckchairs 'inspire public confidence' in this government? Will a reshuffle boost competent governance? It's incredible that two men stitched up the (mis)governance of this country all those years ago. We're now paying the price...
David
August 2nd, 2008 12:21pm Report this commentPlease ensure you remind everyone that Brown said he had no intention of doing a reshuffle before the next election.....
Nicholas
August 2nd, 2008 12:30pm Report this commentMy suggestion for cabinet sackings, in order of priority:
1. Jaqui Smith (Out of Depth & various debacles)
2. Ed Balls (SATS)
3. Des Browne (Defence Debacles)
4. Caroline Flint (Eco-towns & Out of Depth)
5. Yvette Cooper (Out of Depth)
6. Harriet Harmon (Mad as a Hatter)
7. Alistair Darling (Out of Depth)
8. Jack Straw (Needs a rest from politics)
9. Hilary Benn (Infuriatingly pompous)
10. Ed Milliband (Non-job)
11. Douglas Alexander (Gurning)
12. Ed Milliband (Gurning)
13. David Milliband (Two strikes for disloyalty)
Oh, and almost forgot, Gordon Brown should sack himself for serial incompetence.
David
August 2nd, 2008 1:04pm Report this commentOoo, I do hope he promotes Jim Murphy. There isn't a man in the Labour party who epitomises its smug, know-all, and careerist nature more than Murphy. He'll be a fantastic addition... for the Tories.
WJ
August 2nd, 2008 1:25pm Report this commentCruddas would be great but having turned down a job first time round he's hardly likely to accept one now.
Marcus Cotswell
August 2nd, 2008 1:57pm Report this comment@David: Funny, never come acrss anyone with a bad word to say about Jim Murphy before. He always seems very likeable to me and even the Eurosceptics generally reckon he handled the Lisbon Treaty stuff well (and courteously) given the position the Government was taking. Why the hostility?
Marian C
August 2nd, 2008 2:12pm Report this commentNicholas - Agreed, but you seem to have Mr Ed (Talking Horse) Milliband at number 10 & 12, obviously a typo, so which one is Gomez Adams, oops, I mean David Milliband
Jane
August 2nd, 2008 2:23pm Report this commentI think Hilary Benn should be promoted. He is doing a wonderful job. I would demote, Des Browne, Douglas Alexander and Ed Balls. I would promote Ed Miliband and leave Alastair Darling in post as he is beginning to settle after the ghastly mess left behind. I would also leave David Miliband as Foreign Secretary as he is beginning to show skill with his brief. To remove Ruth Kelly would be a disaster as there are too few women in senior posts. I would bring back Alan Milburn and Charles Clarke and finally ask John Reid to help the party before his retirement. The latter three would be able to represent the party better in the media. Finally, I would ban the PM from speaking on behalf of ministerial colleagues. Let them make policy announcements.
I regret that any reshuffle or major policy announcements are doomed to failure whilst Gordon Brown is at the helm. He has lost the public and I do not see this position changing.
Marian C
August 2nd, 2008 2:23pm Report this commentGormless Gordon can reshuffle as much as he likes, it won't make any difference to the country at all, the electorate wants him and the rest of his trough dwellers OUT.
The only reshuffle that I, and many many more want to see is in the form of a General Election
Uncle Vanya
August 2nd, 2008 8:00pm Report this commentI like it - it is wonderful. A 'Reshuffle' of the deck-chairs on 'Titanic' is about what it is. Milly-band as Foreign Secretary, so it has been reported, has cancelled an engagement. Does this mean there will be a 'Head to Head' with Pa Mc Broone?
2 outcomes! Pa Broone will go like Teflon Tony, or Milly-band will be sacked and consigned to the Labour back benches to wail and howl into the night!! It must be the Silly Season now - after all the Nues Lieboure Partie has its yearly shindig soon.
Ben Elford
August 2nd, 2008 8:02pm Report this commentThe closest historical precedent (can't think why) seems to be the last days of the National Socialist Party in May 1945. I don't think changes of personnel at the top made much difference to the outcome for them.
Tanuki
August 2nd, 2008 9:13pm Report this commentDear members of the Labour Cabinet. This is Gordon, your captain speaking. Please fasten your seat-belts; after experiencing prolonged electoral turbulence we are about to execute a 'controlled flight into terrain' with an expected impact speed of around 550MPH. When the red light illuminates you should adopt the crash-position - if only because this will help the authorities disentangle your sad mortal remains from the wreckage of the aircraft. I, Captain Gordon Brown apologise for this minor inconvenience and would like to thank you for choosing NuLabour Airlines for your last flight.
Nicholas
August 3rd, 2008 7:39am Report this commentMarian C: yes, a typo. Ed's non-job and gurning confused me! As I was going through the list of the cabinet names it struck me just what a bunch of non-entities they are and how they are more like "Gordon's Posse". Surely the direst bunch this country has ever had governing it.
Alf Tupper
August 3rd, 2008 9:27am Report this commentI think Paul Daniels might come in handy.
Colette
August 3rd, 2008 9:50pm Report this commentMarcus - I heard Jim Murphy being interviewed after the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty. He was unbelievably dismissive. His line was that their vote didn't count and the treaty would go ahead evertheless...his arrogance put me right off him.
Frank Pulley
August 5th, 2008 4:56pm Report this commentOn the verge of a reshuffle?
Like the the nun who fell off the promenade on to a a pierrot performing on the beach below: it is virgin on the ridiculous.
Appropriately rearranging the deckchairs as the tsunami approaches. What's more it's pissing down rain in Southwold. Happy holiday to the Great Leader! Heh, heh, heh!
I think that's a first on this blog!
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