Re-arranging the deck-chairs.

Image courtesy of the excellent Bleau Bo Dor Blog

The more I watch Gordon's emergency press conference, with its talk of presbyterian conscience, and honesty, I more it becomes apparent that this is a simple re-arrangement exercise.


The Spectator note that this is the most un-democratic government since the war cabinet of the Second World War.

7 ministers are now drawn from the Lords or shall be appointed to the Lords. This creates a serious democratic deficit, something Gordon famously aimed to abolish.

It is perhaps that, this democratic deficit, which is the real loser in this botched reshuffle. He may be drawing upon the Lords but his Commons authority shall now be severely tested.

Authority is now simply flowing from Number 10. For how long is now in the hands, almost entirely, of Labour MPs.

Political mood music for tonight

You've seven unelected ministers in your new cabinet, you've not slept since 10pm yesterday and there's still the EU election results to come.

So, put you're feet on and flick on the radio...



or perhaps...



Well, it's better than listening to Peter Hain and his crib sheet.

The state of play (tonight)

I've been cautious about doing one of these all afternoon, indeed I have spent most of this afternoon simply writing the '+++ XXX resigns +++'.

It's a sad state of affairs.

However, as the dust begins to settle, for tonight at least, it might be worth just taking a recap at who and why some of these ministers are leaving

Jacqui Smith - Former Home Secretary Arguably the point at which the rebellion gained momentum. It is now widely accepted that her departure was leaked by the next candidate.

Hazel Blears - Former Communities Secretary Following Brown's very public dressing down the former Communities Secretary snapped, telling Brown he had been unfair and ran a cowboy Cabinet.

James Purnell - Former Work and Pensions Secretary Perhaps the most directly damaging resignation to date, Purnell's resignation came as a shock to Downing Street and demonstrated the level of dischord within the cabinet prior to any other moves.

John Hutton - Former Defence Secretary Hutton's resignation is perhaps the least damaging, informing us that he'd been planning to resign for 'weeks'. Focusing on his constituency, remember that phrase? He's a known Blairite with this famous phrase, 'Gordon would be a fucking awful Prime Minister'.

Geoff Hoon - Former Transport Secretary Another 'friendly' resignation, still retaining some policy rolls.

Margaret Beckett - Former Housing Minister Revenge after being fired by Gordon as Foreign Secretary?

Caroline Flint - Former Europe Minister Angered at not being offered a promotion after veherment loyalty, Flint announced that Gordon treated women as 'window dressing'.

Well, that's the total so-far. Undoutedly there'll be more to come.

Opps. Completely forgot, another name for the pile...

Tony McNulty -Former Employment Minister
Known Blairite who's said to have been annoyed for quite some time.

+++ Hoon, Beckett and McNulty resign +++ Rumours of more to follow +++

The BBC are reporting that Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, is to resign.

It remains unclear whether this is 'friendly fire' or a Purnell style leadership call.

Update one: Margaret Beckett has also resigned.

Update two: Ian Gibson resigns as an MP triggering a by-election for Norwich North.

Update three: Tony McNulty resigns.

Interesting comment from one of the new 'rebels', resignations is only chapter one. Sunday, if we make it to then, should be interesting....

More to follow.

Forget Night of the Long Knifes, this is Morning of the Plastic Spoons...

Alan Clarke's dairies tell of his abject fear of the Iron Lady's abilities to reshuffle her government. Eliminating those who challenged her and promoting those who'd suitably flattered her. Much the same can be said for Tony Blair, albeit watered down, eventually having to accept he couldn't simply fire Brown as he was so emphatically urged to do so.

This 'reshuffle' however is fundamentally different in one respect; the numbers.

Don't look, straight away, at who's entering the government but rather look at who's not leaving the government. This was billed as a radical reshuffle to reassert Gordon's authority. Instead,

• Peter Mandelson remains at Trade/Industry
• Alaister Darling remains at the Treasury
• David Miliband remains at the Foreign Office and
• Jack Straw remains at the Justice Department

The reason these haven't been moved? Not because they're doing an outstanding job (remember most of this week was spent as a distancing exercise from Alaister Darling) but rather the PM fears further turmoil, resignation and ultimately his demise.

Amidst all of this, there is surely one gleaming irony. Brown's frantic efforts to shore up his support has relied heavily upon the appointment of Sir Alan Sugar, soon to be Lord Sugar. (Does anyone remember Digby Jones? Cunt he may be but he effectively did the same job - then resigned) The same Alan Sugar who's been made famous for one phrase, 'You're fired'.

+++ Purnell resigns +++

James Purnell's resignation today, we are told, came as a surprise to Downing Street. The Prime Minister apparently took soundings from Mr Purnell as early as this afternoon and the good ship Brown (are ship metaphors being overdone?) was happy with the reply of the Work or Prisions Secretary.

His resignation should not have been a surprise, and yet it appears to have been.

Talk tonight of further resignations, John Hutton, Andy Burnham and even David Miliband would undoutedly change the picture dramatically, if they occured. The change would to to such an extent that it would be impossible to see how Gordon could continue.

In short, what we are witnessing is a cabinet coup.

But, like any coup, you shall need enough support. If Miliband, retaining if Foreign Office position, comes out and supports Gordon then I suspect the immediate danger shall pass.

However, one thing which shall be undoutedly damaged is this. Only three days ago the immending cabinet reshuffle was billed as being 'radical', Chancellor Balls, Foreign Secretary Mandelson etc. If, and this is still a hypothetical if, Darling and Miliband remain in their positions it shall demonstrate something much more dangerous - Gordon is scared.