What would a Labour cabinet, sturdy and strong enough to lead us into the next election, look like? Even if you're from the school of thought that Labour have indeed no chance of getting anywhere near government come 2010 (a school I'm resisting going to with every fibre of my being), surely some improvements in cabinet could ensure Labour secure key reforms that may make eventual Tory years slightly more manageable. I think there are some members who are going great guns, Mr Johnson in particular, but it would be difficult to argue that changes couldn't be made to improve our chances. I'm also well aware many may come back with the witty reposte of 'none of 'em, hang the lot. OK. But revolution, and indeed immediate general elections aside, can we pick a fantasy cabinet and give no.10, who obviously refresh this blog hourly, some top tips for winning ways...Let me suggest a few I'd go for:
RIGHT (H)ON:
Harriet Harman - stay. Equality Bill linked her inextricably to her job. Recently showed leadership as Leader of the House. Lot more to be done though, think she can oversee modernisation as she has emerged relatively cleanly from expenses scandal.
Alan Johnson - stay. Health dept. needs our best hitter. Heavyweight till the end. 2010 may bring promotion, ya never know.
Hilary Benn and Ed Miliband - stay. Pretty solid (and both emerged as clean as carbon capturing from expenses scandal).
TAXI TIME:
James Purnell - go, go, go. We'll shut our eyes and you can cross the floor. No one will know, I promise. Plus in it deep re capital gains tax
John Hutton - don't look him directly in the eyes. Many could do better, including Des Browne.
Hazel Blears - can't really come back from this and, although she didn't, it seems like she's undermining Gordo. Bad PR. Hazel should do more work within Labour party, inspiring action. Her call to arms at Labour conference was pretty impressive.
Geoff Hoon - Heathrow. 'nuff said. Expenses trouble.
Any suggestions? Or abuse? whichever.
*inspired by Mr. Bragg at weekend
26 comments:
But who takes over from the taxi-rides?
Ben Bradshaw
Jon Cruddas
Yvette Cooper
Peter Hain
That's a random little group.
Don't know if I agree.
Jon for housing minister I think. We need a huge council house building scheme which Labour hasn't massively delivered on. Think Jon, if he took the job, could get things moving.
A government of all the talents which right now is being made to look like a government of none.
Seems to me there is no point now in not taking some risks or some positive action. Change the cabinet by all means but also let the local parties off the leash to deselect MPs (some innocent one's will get the chop but the reaffirmation of party democracy would be worth it).
The botched constitutional reforms of the early years should be put right - starting with, but not ending with, the continuing outrage that is a none elected Lords.
The house building project would be a win-win at the moment given the construction industry's woes but public works are far too last century, far too Old Labour. Still - why not take a risk? (Apart from the near bankruptcy of the country obviously).
Everything from the government at the moment is bad politics. Surely Brown can see that - does he not wonder what's going on when Joanna Lumley is outflanking him?
He needs to do something quickly, maybe not to regain the momentum, but at least halt some of Cameron's shiny faced momentum, so why not see expenses as an opportunity to do that rather than yet another reason to descend into the darkness?
As for the cabinet? Bring in Cruddas yes. Get rid of Blears (I'm of the opinion anyway that her perky optimism was doing way too much damage before she started waving the cheque around like an idiot) and make sure whatever panels the party put in place over expenses start from the top down - then accept their recommendations.
I agree. there's a sense of what have we got to lose? I think risk taking should probably be top of the agenda at the moment. And maybe that means our little wild card of Mr Johnson.
A few women who deserve promotion: Emily Thornberry, Karen Buck, Diane Abbott (should be home sec in my view...), Vera Baird, Kate Hoey, Kerry McCarthy. A Cabinet with all the above in would be unbeatable!
I don't like male politicians...
John
very much agree re Vera Baird and Kerry McCarthy. Kerry for Int. Development Sec. of State I think. And I'd have to keep Harriet.
Definitely place for more women.
oh and I'd bring Polly Toynbee in. I reckon she'd stand for Labour. Maybe in Margaret Moran's seat?!
Yup, it'd be interesting to see how Polly dealt with putting principles into practice...I'd definitely get Oona King back in too if at all possible - but not sure she's keen, and should maybe go for London Mayor instead. And I'd like Eastenders' Heather Trott as a Labour candidate somewhere too - I know she's a leftie, because she's a nice person. Oh and Clare Short, my absolute favourite politician...ever.
Heather Trott is about to have a baby, she might not be able to commit to standing.
Thanks... but not sure Douglas would be too impressed! I have no idea who Heather Trott is. Although that's nowhere near as bad as the Labour minister I was talking to the other day who had no idea who Cheryl Cole was. (And said minister is younger than me, so age no excuse!) Cheryl's a Labour supporter.
Cheryl said she'd vote for Gordo because Cameron was sleazy! I think the minister needs to be named and shamed.
And Douglas may need to move aside.
That is pretty shocking re: Cheryl Cole. Hm, the baby is indeed an obstacle...it'll have to be Jean then, as that pretty much exhausts the list of nice Walfordians, what with Dot being too busy at present. I'll stop now...
Kerry, Douglas is too dull, we need more interesting people in this day and age. I suggest a coup.
I think a coup is definitely needed John. Kerry might not agree to it here, but I think we could convince her.
Douglas is very nice but, and I agree, slightly dull. We need a woman who takes on Ian Paisely in her maiden speech...
Am outraged at your derogatory tweet about Heather, Ellie. What's a girl to do when all her attempts at exercise result in near-fatal asthma attacks? You also inadvertantly got my hopes up about Dermot O'Leary...
What odds on George Michael being the father though? That is the big question.
That is the big question. I'm wondering how this cabinet reshuffle blog ended up with a discussion about Heva' Trott's sexual history. I'd say George is probably not the father. But you never know.
Yeah, sorry about that...though I think it says more about the calibre of our politicians than it does about us!
yes Mr Lights...
wow that was fast - is someone spending too much time online???
Well, after a long sabatical from blogs I wanted to post something insightful - however all I could come up with was Peter Mandleson for Prime Minister - just so he could use the phrase 'PM for PM'
(please note: this is not serious!)
(please note: this is not serious!)
yeah right.
I think you have a man crush on Mandy.
You know I only have eyes for Tony...
Cutting edge political debate. Right here, right now.
nothing less.
I could cut that quote and use it as a review Mr Waterfield.
Selective comment highlighting out of any context-I'm not above it.
I do apologise for having started this lowering of tone, Ellie...However, after Ben's booty-shaking table-dancing to Girls Aloud on Monday, my eyes are too damaged to watch Eastenders ever again, so there will be no more incisive political comment from me. It was pure child abuse. But it does neatly bring us back to Cheryl Cole...
Ok, so... Um...The relative merits of the Single Transferable Vote, the d'Hondt system and First Past the Post, anyone?
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