Emphasis on loyalty
A few more thoughts on the reshuffle:
The full Government list has been published today, and while most attention is understandably elsewhere a few ideas have struck me.
The first is that while at cabinet level so-called 'Blairites' have been well-treated, lower down the ladder there seems to be an emphasis on loyalty.
Specifically from the 2001 generation of MPs three MPs who in September 2006 helped force Tony Blair to announce his leaving date have been promoted (Sion Simon, Kevan Jones and Chris Bryant) while two who were loyal to Blair in that crisis have been sacked (Meg Munn, although she was already in Government, and Tom Harris who signed a letter loyal to Blair). Meg Munn I understand received the call while she was on a work trip to Mexico.
Indeed Tom Harris was promoted to Government initially by Tony Blair to replace Tom Watson who had just resigned. The message to ambitious MPs is not hard to spot.
The second is that Ian Austin's departure as the Prime Minister's PPS and replacement by Jon Trickett is more significant than has been generally commented.
It is a calculated attempt to reach out to the left of the party (which has been partly stymied by Jon Cruddas's refusal to take a job on the terms offered), and Ian Austin was very influential in Downing Street's media operation: he was Damian McBride's predecessor as Brown's spinner.
The third is that the departure of Tony McNulty as Home Office Minister is significant both for the 42-days policy which he did so much to take though the Commons, but also for his new role as Employment Minister - this is clearly an issue that the Government thinks it will need a feisty Commons and media performer in the next few months.
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Comment number 1.
At 6th Oct 2008, shaft120 wrote:Don't care, don't care, don't care.
The reshuffle only demonstrates two things.
Firstly, that Brownfingers position in his own party is so tenuous that he has to appoint people to the cabinet he thinks can appease the clamouring voices for his resignation.
Secondly, that the Laboured party is so bereft of talent we are reduced to seeing disgraced ex-cabinet ministers re-appointed, because even though they have repeatedly proven they aren't up to the job, they have more charisma than the rest of the front bench put together.
To quote W.S.C., "This is the first time I've seen a rat swimming towards a sinking ship"
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Comment number 2.
At 7th Oct 2008, thegangofone wrote:The cynic in me wonders if the Labour Party is bust and the reshuffle was to get the Blair-ite donors. Fat chance!
Now that Phil Woolas is not leading "The GM debate" when 80% of the country came out against GM in a consultation process will the torch be picked up and carried by somebody else.
GM, 10p, 42 days, nuclear power, Iraq, the economy.
Why are they doing so badly in the polls. Tsch! They listen to the public so well.
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Oct 2008, Amanwy wrote:You forgot about Wayne David. The Caerphilly MP signed the letter and is now a Wales Office Minister.
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Comment number 4.
At 12th Oct 2008, Keithjones1961 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 5.
At 14th Oct 2008, jam804 wrote:Tony McNulty...his new role as Employment Minister...the Government thinks it will need a feisty Commons and media performer in the next few months.
Why? Unemployment going thro' the ceiling? More attacks on those at the bottom of the pile to fund the bail out?
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