After a strong Conservative performance in yesterday's local elections, the results of which are now all in except for one seat, Tony Blair swung into action with a reshuffle carried out throughout the day and announced on official websites as the changes were called out.Andrew Marr's Sunday AM programme noted last week a rumour that the reshuffle was planned to take place about now, and it has now gone through, with the Prime Minister making many key changes to the cabinet. The BBC website today prepared a rundown of the reshuffle changes, which is not quite viewable ‘at a glance.’ Here is an alternative version:
| Position (With links to departmental sites) | Out! | In! |
| ‘’ | John Prescott Holds | |
| Jack Straw | Margaret Beckett | |
| John Reid | ||
| ‘’ | Patricia Hewitt Holds | |
| John Reid | Des Browne | |
| Ruth Kelly | Alan Johnson | |
| Alan Johnson | Alistair Darling | |
| Alistair Darling | Douglas Alexander | |
| Margaret Beckett | David Miliband | |
| Des Browne | Stephen Timms | |
| Jeff Hoon | Jack Straw | |
| Labour Party Chairman | Ian McCartney | Hazel Blears |
| Chief Whip | Jacqui Smith | |
| Douglas Alexander | Geoff Hoon | |
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Inc. Minister for the Cabinet Office) | Vacant (“Minister Without Portfolio” Position) | Hilary Armstrong |
| Foreign Office / DTI Minister of State | N/A: New Position | Ian McCartney |
The government has arguably overcome problems with ministers with perhaps greater ease under Tony Blair's leadership than any previous party in office. Nick Robinson has quoted David Cameron expressing his ‘awe’ at the Labour leader's ability to ‘walk away’ unscathed from problems that would have left a lesser politician with a major defeat. It looks like the response to the Tories' victory may be just enough to win another minor battle in the greater war.
●Read the No 10 website's summary of the reshuffle. (Warning: Includes gratuitous gurning.)
●See the BBC's collection of Election 2006 news.
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