Fourth choice Smith

In light of the speculation surrounding Jacqui Smith’s future, this passage from Steve Richards’ column today is worth pulling out:

“I am told [Jacqui Smith] was not Brown’s first choice [for Home Secretary] and not even his second. Indeed, one government insider tells me three others were approached but had no desire to go near the unpredictable nightmare of the Home Office. Smith’s narrative also highlights the fickle nature of politics. Within a year she could have lost her cabinet job and her seat.”