Gordon Brown has sought to re-assert his stamp on government with today’s reshuffle, but the big challenge of the reshuffle is its sustainability, and whether those in the new cabinet can restore a sense of purpose and vision to the government.
It is certainly better for keeping Alistair Darling at the Treasury – where there is still a huge job in turning around the economy – and promoting Alan Johnson to the Home Office. While I am sceptical of the Sir Alan Sugar promotion, and fear it may be as lasting as that of Digby Jones, it does bring some vital star quality to the line-up.
The fact that several of those identified as Blairites retain positions of power helps, with Andy Burnham promoted to health. But it is weakened by the hugely important loss of some excellent ministers including James Purnell, John Hutton and Beverley Hughes (the children’s minister). But I do wonder whether Barry Sheerman was not right in offering Gordon Brown a way settling the leadership question once and for all. Without a vote of confidence from his MPs, the doubts may simply remain.
A reshuffle is not enough in itself, of course, especially after today’s dismal council results. The government now needs to show vision, strategy and a sense of purpose over the next ten months. This is important not just on the economy and democratic reform, but across the public services. Since Ed Balls is staying at schools, he needs to stop allowing the Tories to wrap themselves in the mantle of Labour academies. He must show mettle in reclaiming the schools agenda for Labour. There are many in the schools world who worry that his department has drifted under his leadership with its attempts to cover the gamut of children’s policy at the expense of schools.
We have still to see the reshuffle in the lower ranks – and there are still opportunities there to shake-up the government’s performance and its effectiveness at communicating its message.
Andy Burnham has some genuine dividing lines with the Tories on health, where Labour’s waiting times and choice policies are paying dividends, and it is vital that Yvette Cooper doesn’t allow the excellent work of James Purnell at work and pensions to drift. There must also be renewed vigour from Alan Johnson at the home office on crime and policing. There must also be some candour on public expenditure.
Only from such a position of strength can Labour really challenge the Tories and demand that they explain how their policies would work. The old dividing lines of past elections simply lack credibility in today’s recession-hit economy and they need a complete rethink.
Most ministers have decided to stick with Gordon Brown, and it is highly unlikely that there will be any change at the top between now and the general election. Every minister has a clear duty to show why it matters that Labour is in power – and what the tough decisions are that need to be made. That is their challenge for the months ahead. The future of the Labour party is in their hands.
Dear Gordon Brown . PLEASE READ Please send the troops some starbucks coffee I am forward this message which I received today from RBL. Could everybody please take note and pass this on to anyone who thinks the free market promotes the interests of its customers. Recently, British Royal Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees, and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Royal Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee. So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should support them by NOT buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t support the boys on the ground, fighting street-to-street and, house-to-house. If you feel the same as I do then pass this along. Thanks very much for your support. I know you’ll all be there again when I deploy once more. Sgt. Howard Wright, 1 Platoon, Recon Company, Royal Marines PLEASE DON’T DELETE THIS… PLEASE PASS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR E- MAIL LIST, IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED, LOST LIMBS AND EVEN DIED, SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ! Also, don’t forget that when the Twin Trade Towers were hit, the fire fighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by for water for the survivors and workers, and Starbucks CHARGED THEM!!! AN ADDED NOTE TO THIS: STARBUCKS HAD STORES ON SEVERAL MILITARY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE NOW BEING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THIS. There are 227 Starbucks stores across the UK, and there’s no doubt that our soldiers would get the same response from this company, so let us do our bit and boycott Starbucks to show them how despicable their actions are.
I’m all for free speech, but does anyone moderate the comments here ? Chain emails are not valid comments in my humble opinion. The Starbucks thing is a total hoax by the way which has been circulating for 5 years or so. It’s appearance here adds a surreal twist to an already surreal day for Labour. Think I’ll come back and read the article later. Feel free to delete my comment along with the Starbucks one.
Conor, I agree with most of what you say, however, I think you also need to take account of the fact that the reshuffle will not change the consensus that the wider system has to be changed. If as Gordon says, he wants to do this, and the rest of the party really supports that, then they must show leadership; have the courage to get on with it.
Indeed, I agree, the Conservatives are not very clear on policy, it is all media hype; their sound bites at present are based upon who had done better with regard to sorting the expense scandal out.
Failure to remember that the electorate are fed up with MPs fighting with one another will end up in the electorate turning away, so even if Labour get their strategy and sense of purpose sorted, it will make little difference. I urge caution with the use of the term vision; most people who have them find it really difficult to convince us lesser mortals!
As for stars, if they are doers then that is great; time alone will tell, all time we cannot afford to waste!
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ
I am forwarding a letter which I have sent to one of the 5 members of the power-knowledge relations fan club. I encourage all Members, Supporters and electorate to do the same. Write to your MP
Letter to MP
Rt Hon Edward Miliband MP
Doncaster North
Dear Mr Ed,
I am writing to in my capacity as a Labour Party Member.
It is clear that mainstream Britain, in response to the recent council and mayoral elections, are not in support of the present Labour Government under the leadership of Gordon Brown. Many within the party and the country believe that the present situation of political instability of the Labour leadership will lead to disaster not recovery at the ballot box in 2010. I believe this is the majority view in this country.
Gordon Brown has been a good ambassador for the Labour cause since 1997, particularly in his role as Chancellor. I believe now is the time for him to step down as Leader of the Labour Party and place his full support behind a leadership election.
As Secretary of State for Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Doncaster North your continuation to support him in, could place your own standing within Doncaster community, leading up to the next General Election, under serious jeopardy. The recent election of an English Democrat as Mayor of Doncaster indicates what is left of a Labour following here in this previous dominant Labour heartland.
The unforgiveable way in which the Prime Minister has treated his fellow Ministers, including your Doncaster colleague Caroline Flint leads me to believe also, that an inner circle and a two tier government is in operation at the heart of Government
I am in agreement with many of the Parliamentary Labour Party the continuation of the leadership under Gordon Brown, will without doubt ensure a solid Conservative victory at the next general election.
Labour supporters and many members, as well the electorate, do not and will not follow your desire or share your commitment in ensuring Gordon stays in the position he holds.
Yours
Mark Houlbrook
Candidate for Labour Mayoral Selection 2008
Doncaster