This Once Great Movement Of Ours

[Blair]

NTS is an example of when politics is unfair- he’s a close ally of Starmer, is a very good parliamentarian and is from Welsh Labour- but he’s not made Patel’s life a nightmare in the way that other shadow cabinet members have (see Steve Reed with Jenrick, Nandy with Raab) I think Mr Tony wrote about how the hardest part of politics was sacking people like this.

I think it would be a brave move to bring back Yvette Cooper; she abstained on the immigration bill and she was not a team player in the Miliband years- but she’ll likely swallow the first as part of team and she did at least endorse Starmer in 2020.

I wouldn’t be shocked if NTS shuffled to a Justice related post like Attorney General (he is a former barrister and would be more suited to this)

No surprise re Green and Stevens- the latter has been quiet and had no real impact despite the huge number of DCMS issues (racism in cricket, the super league, etc) I expect Alison McGovern will get promoted within the team

[Blair]

Cat Smith has gone the letter she posted on Twitter suggested she has resigned rather than been sacked. In her letter she mentioned that Jeremy should have the whip back and that Labour should campaign for PR. It’s funny how many members of the lobby were too lazy to read the letter and said she was sacked.

Was one of the few remaining campaign group members in the shadow cabinet

[EastAnglianLefty]

Reading between the lines it sounds like her role was being downgraded to a non-Shadow Cabinet level and she chose to walk rather than accept that.

[EastAnglianLefty]

Although actually the surprising thing is that Smith's resignation is the first confirmation we've got of this - given that posts are usually confirmed in order of importance and that Smith's post is about as low down the list of prominence as you can get, that implies either:

• Very few people are being moved or
• Those being moved have gone weirdly quietly, especially as Rayner wasn't looped into discussions before the reshuffle started or
• It's being done in a bizarre order

[Blair]

Well what a fun morning- lots of briefing about Rayner being cut out, now it emerges she was told but wasn’t included in details*.

Reading between the lines it sounds like her role was being downgraded to a non-Shadow Cabinet level and she chose to walk rather than accept that.

Yes this makes sense- I think there’s 4 roles (was 5!) where there’s no actual department to shadow.

It was written very quickly and was towards the ‘Piss of’ spectrum of letters…

*the issue is of course that there’s no definition of what a deputy should do or how involved they should be.

[EastAnglianLefty]

I mean honestly there's no obvious reason why a deputy leader should have to sign off on reshuffles. It would be a lot easier if Corbyn had successfully deleted it from the rulebook, because it's either a meaningless role (Prescott's status came from his ability to mediate between Blair and Brown, not his position; Harman was irrelevant under both Brown and Miliband) or it's just a platform from which to plot.

[CumbrianLefty]

Thornberry to replace NTS is now the rumour.

[TheTide]

Thornberry to replace NTS is now the rumour.

She's been seen as dying a slow political death since her hapless leadership. Would be a genuinely significant appointment, and one that Patel might not welcome.

[TheTide]

Now it's Lammy to FCO, with Cooper indeed going to Home.

[Blair]

Well this is strange.

It seems like this is the reshuffle that Keir wanted to do in May.

There is a lot of sideways movement and some people who were getting jobs aren’t exactly the first name that would come to mind for their portfolio.

Quick and lazy suggest glance suggests Shadow Cabinet is moving to the right (but not of the Blairite flavour specifically)

[Blair]

https://mobile.twitter.com/adampayne26/status/1465409266311913473

[Blair]

As always you tend to get a better understanding of the shape of the PLP and what’s going on behind the scenes by looking at the junior appointments that come up from this…

[Blair]

Can’t work out why Luke Pollard was sacked.

[CumbrianLefty]

Well this is strange.

It seems like this is the reshuffle that Keir wanted to do in May.

There is a lot of sideways movement and some people who were getting jobs aren’t exactly the first name that would come to mind for their portfolio.

Quick and lazy suggest glance suggests Shadow Cabinet is moving to the right (but not of the Blairite flavour specifically)

Yes, I think that's basically it.

I don't and never have got the Cooper "fandom" (rather like Reeves, but even more so) but there is no denying that she is adored by both much of the media and a large section of online centrism. So her appointment isn't going to do KS much harm save with those who despise him already.

Good point about true believing Blairites not being that prominent (McFadden is rather the exception) and back in the days when it was *the* metric, Keir would have been a "Brownite" without question.

One to watch who hasn't been mentioned so much in the reporting yesterday - Louise Haigh. She has rarely failed to impress in her public appearances and her promotion is well deserved.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Very noticeable is that people who have underperformed or struggled have been demoted or sacked, while the people who have been promoted or otherwise rewarded have (with one exception...) performed well, or at least have been good at giving that impression. The oddest thing in some respects is the Miliband situation: it looks like a demotion but it doesn't really smell like one. On the one hand he loses a significant part of his portfolio: in conventional terms this is a clear demotion, end of. But on the other, he has been focusing most of his attention on the area he retains, his brief now quite explicitly very wide ranging and he won't be clashing quite so often with the Shadow Treasury team, which he plainly did not enjoy.

[YL]

Well this is strange.

It seems like this is the reshuffle that Keir wanted to do in May.

There is a lot of sideways movement and some people who were getting jobs aren’t exactly the first name that would come to mind for their portfolio.

Quick and lazy suggest glance suggests Shadow Cabinet is moving to the right (but not of the Blairite flavour specifically)

Yes, I think that's basically it.

I don't and never have got the Cooper "fandom" (rather like Reeves, but even more so) but there is no denying that she is adored by both much of the media and a large section of online centrism. So her appointment isn't going to do KS much harm save with those who despise him already.

Good point about true believing Blairites not being that prominent (McFadden is rather the exception) and back in the days when it was *the* metric, Keir would have been a "Brownite" without question.

One to watch who hasn't been mentioned so much in the reporting yesterday - Louise Haigh. She has rarely failed to impress in her public appearances and her promotion is well deserved.

I agree on Haigh (MP for a constituency neighbouring the one I'm in); she's been very impressive whenever I've seen her.

I find Cooper can be very good on her day, but she can also be disappointing.  I'm still disappointed by her 2015 leadership campaign.

[Blair]

So some extended & personalised thoughts.

The changes

David Lammy- Foreign Secretary: Certainly been on a journey- was considered a Blairite rising star back in the early 000s but had a poor & lacklustre ministerial career that never went beyond junior roles. Sat out during the Miliband era & re-invented himself; he's still on the right of the party but has been willing to question the traditional line over drug reform & other issues. Will be good at the FCDO as it's a 'value based' position for Labour & is an easy gig.

Yvette Cooper- Home Affairs: The beloved darling of the lobby due to her remarkable re-invention as a Chair of the Home Affairs Committee. Been a rising star on Brownite wing since well 1999- was a reliable talking head at the fag end of the Brown Government. Had a previous stint as Shadow Home Secretary that, well, had mixed results. On the right of the party on Immigration (she abstained & broke party whip earlier this year) but will tow a more middle line. Ran for leader in 2015- went awfully.

Johnny Reynolds- Business: Another journeyman- once of the Labour right having served on the NEC back in the New Labour era as youth rep, and worked for Arch Blairite James Purnell (inherited his seat too). Quit the Corbyn Cabinet in protest in Jan 2016, but rejoined John McDonnells Treasury team & was well liked + showed an open mind. Has been a top performer as Shadow DWP Secretary & likely to keep rising.

Ed Miliband- Climate: Emissary from Planet F**K. Climate is part of the role he was already doing & the one he held back in Government back in 2008-2010. The rest about him is known but this is a relative demotion from Business- comes after a rather sustained & vicious round of briefing against him- he was seen as being on the wrong side over Energy nationalisation. Seems rather like Ken Clarke in a sense.

Lisa Nandy- Housing, Levelling up and Communities: Moves to Shadow Michael Gove in the new super department- the role she should have got back in April 2020. She gets both Housing & Local Government (they were separate briefs before) and will have considerable influence- it's technically a demotion from the FCDO but this is actually better for her & for the party. One to watch.

Lucy Powell- DCMS: Soft left, former advisor to Ed Miliband & closely involved in 2015 GE. Seen as a reliable media performer & given DCMS more so to keep her in the Shadow Cabinet & because she will be better at taking on Dorries than her predecessor. Very much a loyal servant to party.
 
Bridget Phillipson- Education: The Future now of the Blairite Right. Has done very well as Chief Secretary to the Treasury & was seen as a very good performer in the media & in Parliament. Hasn't had a huge role in education policy, but again this seems like a role where she's been put in to make something of the brief.

Jim McMahon- DEFRA: Another member of the Labour Right, but not completely progress aligned specifically. Former Leader of Oldham Council & a supporter of Keir (was previously on the NEC) This role has been more significant as Labour have tried to make a better offer to rural voters & farmers- less of a fit compared to Luke Pollard, but I expect he was moved for the one below.

Lou Haigh- Transport: Popular well liked MP who was on the left of the party & could still claim this mantle- backed Nandy in 2020 & was one of the best performing members of JC's Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Policing Minister. Extremely skilled & likely to climb higher- she was Shadow Northern Ireland & was well respected. Transport will let her make a mark & she's more of an attacking force than Jim.

Wes Streeting- Health: The move everyone has been waiting for- the bete noire of the Corbynite left (and well much of the centre of the party) for his role in the Corbyn years. Seen by Starmer as a solid media performer & someone who will represent the party even when its going awfully (see Andrew gwynne in previous years) Was expected to get education- Health seems weird but logic suggests he'll be on TV a lot & they'll want to make the NHS backlog an issue.

John Ashworth-DWP: Another long-survivor- former bag carrier for Gordon Brown & from the Brownite wing. Only stayed in Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet because he was on the NEC but ended up staying for years as Shadow Health. Was rumoured that LOTO wanted to move him back in May- I expect he's happy to take a less taxing brief.

Steve Reed- Justice Not a lawyer- but ex leader of Lambeth Council. Very much from the Labour Right & a big supporter of Keir. Played a big role in attacking Jenrick over Westferry & is likely been moved to make room for Nandy & because they want a relatively attacking Minister at Justice against Raab.

Pat MacFadden- Chief Secretary to Treasury: One of the few remaining actual Blairites in the PLP. Worked for Mr Tony in No.10 & from the infamous 2005 intake.  This is a promotion but he's been influential in the Shadow Treasury Team & has done a lot of media over the last few months. It's significant he got this & shows how the economic briefs are all firmly held now by people who align with Rachel Reeves.

Peter Kyle- Northern Ireland: Firmly on the Labour Right & the Progress wing. Seen as a close ally of the leadership- no obvious reason why he was given NI but that has been the case for virtually every holder of this office since 2010, largely as it needs a safe pair of hands.

The Demotions  

Nick Thomas Symonds- International Trade An ally of Starmer & a former Oxford Don- who was also a Barrister. Was highly rated & on top of his brief as Shadow Home Secretary- but has been suffering in the same way that Dodds was, in that once you're written off as dull it's hard to shake. Now at International Trade & given the Brexit Brief- this was the brief that Rachel Reeves used in 2020 to establish herself so who knows what will happen.

Emily Thornberry- Attorney General: The Vicar of Bray as Al called her- was briefly rumoured to be getting a promotion at once stage & was seen as being wasted at International Trade. Has been one of Labours better performers & was very sharp at International Trade against Truss. Will have fun with this role & will make the Governments life difficult- would have been a much better fit at Justice & think LOTO will realise this.

Jo Stevens- Wales: Would have likely been sacked if not for her suitability for this brief- I think from the soft left of the party (but welsh Labour is well different) and close with GMB and seen as a reliable ally for Keir. Was not a big hitter at DCMS despite the large number of targets over the last year- another one where Tracey Brabin (an ex soap actor) would have been miles better.

The departed.

Nia Griffith: Served as Corbyn's Shadow Defence Minister purely to stop him putting someone else in- opposed Corbyn over NATO & Trident. Wasn't a huge surprise she kept a position when Keir started as she'd done this stint for the PLP.

Cat Smith: A member of the campaign group and the last devout Corbyn supporter in the Shadow Cabinet- appears to have quit rather than been sacked due to JC not having the whip & the party not backing PR.

Kate Green: Sacked as Shadow Education. From the soft left of the party- former head of Child Poverty Action Group & was seen as a details focused Shadow Education Sec. This sacking was expected as she'd struggled to really land a blow against Williamson.

Luke Pollard: A surprise sacking as DEFRA. From the soft right (?) of the party & an ex-SPAD and public affairs professional. Served on the frontbench under Corbyn but backed Keir in 2020 & the DEFRA pitch had been one of Keirs efforts to show Labour was 'reaching out' of its comfort areas. Expect it might be related to the need to find jobs for others, but still strange.

[CumbrianLefty]

Honourable mention to John Healey, the one person still in situ since Starmer took over.

[afleitch]

Too good not to share

https://mobile.twitter.com/EuanYours/status/1466076351740452867

[CumbrianLefty]

Do they go on to mention that both Labour and the Greens *didn't* actually go into the meeting?

(but LibDems and the lone Tory did)

[Blair]

Richard Leese, who has served as the Leader of Manchester City Council for about 100 years, has resigned.

I don't a lot about the politics of the Labour Group but he certainly was one of the more influential figures in Labour local Government circles.

[CumbrianLefty]

Richard Leese, who has served as the Leader of Manchester City Council for about 100 years, has resigned.

I don't a lot about the politics of the Labour Group but he certainly was one of the more influential figures in Labour local Government circles.

Probably stayed on a bit too long, but that isn't unusual.

His overall record can't but impress somewhat, for all the caveats.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Britain's most prominent - and certainly most successful - Dengist.

[Secretary of State Liberal Hack]

Britain's most prominent - and certainly most successful - Dengist.

Well Dengism was inspired from Singapore, so I would quite like more details.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Britain's most prominent - and certainly most successful - Dengist.

Well Dengism was inspired from Singapore, so I would quite like more details.

Funnily enough one of my nicknames for Manchester under Leese has been the Little Red Singapore haha.