A Shuffled Government

September 6, 2012 By Malcolm Blair-Robinson

So, is this government any different to the last one? Yes, but not in the way commentators report.

It has shifted the Tory component to the right. Cameron has removed from areas of controversy ministers who might cause distraction because of their personal views or doings, Hunt, Lansley and Greening, but they are still at the table in different chairs. Ken Clarke, the only cabinet minister with previous experience, remains with a roving brief and a licence to comment on the economy, which could be interesting. Overall the performance of the government is unlikely to change much with this reshuffle any more than all the governments of the past, whatever anybody says. the hard fact is that reshuffles make little difference. Either the government works or it doesn’t. Many fear this one does not work any more. Among those who think that are two of its key members. Cameron and Cable.

The subtle undertone of this bout of musical chairs, is that both the coalition parties know that within a year or so, the partnership will likely end, to allow both to set up their campaign stalls for the general election scheduled for 2015. The Conservatives will remain in power with a minority administration kept afloat by a confidence and supply agreement with the Lib Dems. The people Cameron has put in place create a right leaning core which can be expanded seamlessly into a red blooded Tory government able to blaze a path to a Tory triumph at the polls.

Maybe.

But then again, maybe not.