The long career in Government of veteran Tory Cabinet minister Kenneth Clarke – which began 40 years ago – could be over.
After a meeting with the Prime Minister in the Commons as David Cameron began his Cabinet reshuffle, MPs predicted Mr Clarke would lose his job as Justice Secretary and return to the back benches.
It is thought that Mr Cameron tried to persuade 72-year-old Mr Clarke to take a demotion to Leader of the Commons, but he refused and insisted he wanted to stay put or leave the Government.
And so a career in Government that began when he became a junior whip in Ted Heath's Government in 1972 and included several Cabinet posts under Margaret Thatcher and John Major appears to have come to an acrimonious end.
But his departure from the Cabinet will delight Mr Clarke's right wing critics in the Conservative Party, who loathe his pro-European views and regard him as soft on law and order.
After a series of bruising clashes with Home Secretary Theresa May over the past two years, Mrs May famously declared: "I lock them up, Ken lets them out."
Other Cabinet ministers understood to be leaving the Government include 71-year-old Sir George Young, the Commons Leader, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan – who confirmed her departure by removing her title from her Twitter account – and possibly Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman.
It is also thought that the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who faced a tough parliamentary battle over the Government's controversial NHS reforms, may be on the move or leaving the Government.
The one appointment confirmed by 10 Downing Street is the appointment of Andrew Mitchell, the International Development Secretary, as Chief Whip, replacing Patrick McLoughln.
Announcing the move, Mr Cameron said: "Andrew has done a superb job as Britain's Development Secretary. He has made British development policy transparent, focused and highly effective.
"His energy and passionate commitment have placed Britain at the forefront of international efforts to improve the lives of millions of the world's poorest people. He has made a real difference.
"As Chief Whip, Andrew will ensure strong support for our radical legislative programme, by working hard to win the argument in the Commons as well as playing a big role in the No 10 team.
"He will be invaluable as the Government embarks on the next, vital phase of its mission to restore our economy to growth and reform our public services."
Mr Mitchell now faces the tough task of restoring discipline among Tory MPs, which broke down spectacularly in the massive revolt against Nick Clegg's House of Lords reforms.
"It has been a huge privilege to serve as part of a coalition which has radically overhauled the way aid is spent and brought a new rigour to British development policy," said Mr Mitchell.
Some ministers believe Mr Clarke's job as Justice Secretary may go to Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson, in what would be seen as a sop to the Tory Right.
Mr Paterson is an ally of Iain Duncan Smith and a member of Right Wing groups like No Turning Back and Cornerstone.
But another name touted is the prisons minister Nick Herbert, Mr Clarke's No. 2.
Another key appointment will be a new Tory chairman, replacing Baroness Warsi, who most MPs expect to move.
On her twitter account, Sayeeda Warsi appeared to confirm she has gone: "It's been a privilege and an honour to serve my party as co-chairman, signing off @ToryChairman, signing on @sayeedawarsi."
Housing minister Grant Shapps has been tipped to replace her.
While the top jobs - Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary – will remain unchanged, Mr Cameron is expected to bring in several younger MPs to replace older junior ministers who will be asked to step down.
Among LibDem promotions, Nick Clegg's ally David Laws is expected to return to the Government two years after being forced to resign over his parliamentary expenses.
Sky sources also suggest LibDem Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone is on her way to the Department of Communities and Local Government.
- Related Stories
- George Osborne Booed At Paralympic Games
- Cameron Plans First Major Cabinet Reshuffle
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario