I suppose the top line to emerge from today's political summaries is this: Gordon's imminent reshuffle shall be wide-ranging.
Jacqui Smith, who has faced questions to her authority from a very early stage as Home Secretary. announced she is to leave at the next reshuffle of Cabinet. One question though, in the midst the news of Smith's departure, really demonstrates the current fault lines running deep under Number 10 at the moment - that question? Who leaked the news of Smith's exit?
Undoutedly such a move has taken some of Gordon's much needed 'authority', appearing to fire Smith as a radical and bold move. Simularly, changing Darling and Miliband would have sent a further signal of Gordon's 'authorative' leadership.
It also however demonstrates that Gordon's adminstration is looking to after Gordon. If Smith leaked the details she will have done so to protect her own interests, jumping before she was pushed. If Mandelson is behind the leak it shall, again, demonstrate his considerable abilities within the 'dark arts' - sending a warning signal to both Brown and Balls. The final suspect, Balls, could equally have seen this as a perfect moment to signal Darling's move (presumably to the Home Office) thus clearing the way for his own move to No. 11. Gordon has always faced charges of 'delaying' and being in-decisive. Today's news shall undoutedly further support such a claim.
Add to this the news that the following MPs shall be leaving Parliament, Margaret Moran, Ben Chapman, David Chaytor, Ian McCartney, John Smith, Patricia Hewitt, Beverley Hughes and Michael Martin and what do you get? A very bleak picture for the Parliamentary party.
So, with the daggers well and truly being sharpened Gordon's handling of the EU elections could, perhaps, prove a key moment. Sink or swim if you like.
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