Reshuffle no. 254,643,459,959,758,...

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! (With links to why they may have gone)	In! (With links to show troubles they've faced)
ODPM -> DCLG	John Prescott	Ruth Kelly
Deputy Prime Minister	‘’	John Prescott Holds
Foreign Secretary	Jack Straw	Margaret Beckett
Home Secretary	Charles Clarke	John Reid
Health Secretary	‘’	Patricia Hewitt Holds
Defence Secretary	John Reid	Des Browne
Education Secretary	Ruth Kelly	Alan Johnson
Trade Secretary	Alan Johnson	Alistair Darling
Transport Secretary	Alistair Darling	Douglas Alexander
Environment Secretary	Margaret Beckett	David Miliband
Chief Secretary to the Treasury	Des Browne	Stephen Timms
Leader of the Commons	Jeff Hoon	Jack Straw
Labour Party Chairman	Ian McCartney	Hazel Blears
Chief Whip	Hilary Armstrong	Jacqui Smith
Europe Minister	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.

Words now terror offence

As of today the glorification of terrorism is officially an offence under the rules set in the 2005 Terrorism Bill, which was given Royal assent on March 30th of this year.

The bill covers many ways of protecting against terrorist activity, but its most controversial aspect is the relative harshness with which statements interpreted as glorification are to be punished.

A summary conviction on this offence, which so far applies to published rather than spoken statements, could lead to a fine or twelve months imprisonment, while conviction on an indictment could lead to a much longer term of up to seven years.
This is only three years short of the sentence applied to those who give training in terrorist activities.

Critics say that defining precisely which comments might break the new law will prove difficult, and also that the Bill contains several defences that might be applied too easily. These are some of the reasons that many people perceive the new law to be an unnecessary incursion upon free speech. In February Sir Menzies Campbell was one of the high profile figures who noted that ‘the measure could threaten civil liberties.’ Other notable opposers of the bill include the popular free speech website netfreedom.org.

Other changes brought about in the Terrorism Bill include an increased 15 year maximum period for the possession of materials which could be used for terrorist purposes, and for offences committed using radioactive materials life sentences are now applicable.

●View a transcript of Charles Clarke's Terrorism Bill speech.
●View the completed bill at the official Parliamentary Publications site.
●Read Charles Clarke's rebuttal of The Independent's entry into the debate.